New Airstrip Emerges in Yemen Amid Rising Houthi Conflict

The Houthi rebels in Yemen have vowed to escalate their military actions in response to recent U.S. airstrikes that reportedly killed multiple Houthi leaders, including the security chief of Abdulmalik al-Houthi. The U.S. strikes, which took place in Saada, were confirmed by Saudi state television Al-Hadath and mark the first military action since President Donald Trump resumed office in January 2025. Trump had previously warned the Houthis that they would face severe repercussions for their actions. In retaliation, on March 17, the Houthis announced they had launched 18 missiles and a drone attack against the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman and its accompanying vessels in the Red Sea. The group's spokesperson stated that the attacks were a direct response to what they described as "continued American aggression" against Yemen. This escalation raises concerns about further conflict in the already war-torn country, as both sides prepare for potential heightened military engagement in the region.

Yemen's ongoing civil war has led to rising fears among humanitarian workers following a series of arrests by Houthi rebels. According to BBC Arabic, 24 UN employees and workers from various NGOs were detained in recent months, leading to a climate of fear that has caused many organizations to scale back their operations. Hanaa, an employee of a US-funded NGO focused on women's empowerment, witnessed her workplace raided, with her boss arrested and their bank account frozen. The UN reports that nearly 10 million children are among the 17 million people needing humanitarian aid in Yemen, which has now become one of the world’s most severe crises. Legal representatives noted complications in supporting detained individuals, who face uncertainty regarding their circumstances. Human Rights Watch warned that the combination of the Houthis' arrests and new US aid restrictions could lead to devastating consequences for aid efforts in the country. Hanaa expressed her concern that US policy changes might increase hostility towards those working with US-funded projects, jeopardizing crucial assistance to vulnerable populations like Amal, a mother living in a displacement camp.

On January 25, 2025, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the suspension of UN staff movement in territories controlled by Yemen's Houthi rebels, following the detention of seven UN personnel. The UN's decision comes amid escalating humanitarian concerns, as Guterres called for the immediate release of the detained workers, highlighting the detrimental impact their detention has on humanitarian efforts for millions in need. The detentions are reportedly linked to the U.S. designation of the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, a move that has intensified retaliatory actions by the group. This development underscores the worsening humanitarian crisis and growing tensions in Yemen.