Thousands protest in Sanaa against U.S. strikes

Thousands gathered in Sanaa to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and protest against recent U.S. airstrikes on Yemen's Ras Isa fuel terminal on the Red Sea coast. The terminal, targeted in what authorities described as the deadliest attack since the commencement of the U.S. bombing campaign against the Houthis, has already claimed at least 74 lives, with preliminary figures from the Houthi-run health ministry indicating 171 injuries.

The U.S. military stated that the strikes were intended to cut off fuel supplies to the Houthi militant group, which has been a long-standing adversary and is known for its control over large areas of Yemen. U.S. President Donald Trump had ordered the intensification of these strikes last month, marking the largest U.S. military operation in the Middle East since his inauguration in January. The Ras Isa terminal, a critical hub for fuel imports and a launchpad for drones, missiles, and ship-targeting strikes, has been repeatedly targeted by both the U.S. and its ally, Israel.

The massive protests, organized by the Houthi movement, have taken place not only in Sanaa but also in other major Yemeni cities including Ibb and Al Hudaydah. Protesters, carrying Yemeni and Palestinian flags, voiced their support for Gaza and condemned both U.S. and Israeli military actions. In Sanaa, demonstrators assembled in Sebin Square, participating in speeches, chants, and public displays of anti-U.S. sentiment.

These rallies highlight Yemen's enduring solidarity with the Palestinian cause and the Houthis' strategic efforts to align themselves with broader regional resistance movements. The events also serve to bolster domestic support amid ongoing military confrontations and international scrutiny, as Yemen continues to grapple with the far-reaching impacts of internal conflicts and external military interventions.