In a dramatic escalation of US military involvement in Yemen, President Donald Trump has authorised extensive airstrikes that have resulted in significant civilian casualties, coinciding with ongoing bombardments in Gaza.

This latest wave of military action, which began late Saturday night, has left dozens dead—many of whom are women and children—as the US aims to counter Houthi forces amid rising tensions in the region.

In Gaza, Israeli forces have reportedly killed over 400 women and children, as stated by the BBC on Tuesday.

These actions threaten to collapse a two-month ceasefire, with Israel vowing to intensify its operations to free hostages held by Hamas.

According to the Institute for Public Accuracy (IPA), on the evening of the first airstrikes in Yemen, Nasser Mohammed Saad was celebrating iftar—a significant meal during Ramadan—when he received alarming news that his family's home in the al-Jiraf area of Sana’a had been damaged in a nearby strike.

“The house's windows were shattered, the doors were torn off, and the water tanks were hit by shrapnel,” Saad recounted, noting that his wife and two children were inside during the attack.

The US defence officials characterised the strikes as the initiation of a large-scale military campaign against the Houthis, who have controlled substantial portions of northern Yemen, including the capital, since 2014.

Reports indicate that while the strikes targeted military installations, they also hit civilian neighbourhoods, resulting in a death toll of at least 53, with many more injured.

Medical facilities in Saada province reported chaotic scenes as they treated the wounded, including children suffering from severe injuries.

In response, Yemen’s Houthi-led government retaliated by launching missiles and a drone at the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman, who was stationed in the Red Sea.

This tit-for-tat response underscores the escalating conflict, marking a deepening of US involvement in a region already ravaged by years of war.

Reports suggest that Trump ordered the airstrikes after high-level discussions with national security advisors.

In a post on X, Trump described the attacks as a necessary response to what he termed an "unrelenting campaign of piracy" by the Houthis against American and allied shipping.

He warned the group: “YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP,” promising overwhelming force if they continued their actions.

The Houthis recently announced the resumption of a naval blockade targeting Israeli vessels in response to Israel's restrictions on aid to Gaza.

Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi emphasised that these military maneuveurs were a direct response to Israel's blockade, reiterating support for the Palestinian cause.

The airstrikes have drawn condemnation from Houthi officials, who accused the U.S. of acting on behalf of Israel.

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Yemen under fire: US launches major military campaign as Gaza conflict continues