Yemen’s Houthi rebels say U.S. airstrikes kill two as Donald Trump’s bombing video suggests higher death toll

Suspected U.S. airstrikes in Yemen target Houthi rebels, with casualties higher than acknowledged, escalating conflict.

Suspected U.S. airstrikes killed at least two people overnight in a stronghold of Yemen's Houthi rebels, the group said on Sunday (April 6, 2025), as a bombing video posted by U.S. President Donald Trump suggested casualties in the campaign may be higher than the rebels acknowledge.

The strikes in Saada killed two people and wounded four others, with footage aired by the Houthis' al-Masirah satellite news channel showing a strike collapsing what appeared to be a two-storey building. The Iranian-backed Houthis aired no footage from inside the building, which they described as a solar power shop.

Yemen conflict: Iran-backed Houthis, U.S. both vow escalation; death toll rises to 53

The intense campaign of airstrikes in Yemen under Trump administration targeting the rebels over their attacks on shipping in Mideast waters stemming from the Israel-Hamas war has killed at least 69 people, according to casualty figures released by the Houthis.

However, the Houthis have not acknowledged any casualties from their security and military leadership — something challenged after an online video posted by Mr. Trump.

On Saturday (April 5, 2025), Mr. Trump posted what appeared to be black-and-white video from a drone of a group of several dozen people gathered in a circle. An explosion detonates during the 25-second video, with a massive crater left in its wake.

“These Houthis gathered for instructions on an attack,” Mr. Trump claimed, without offering a location for the attack or any other details about the strike. “Oops, there will be no attack by these Houthis! They will never sink our ships again!”