U.S. Denies Responsibility for Fatal Yemen Blast Amid Houthi Claims of Airstrike

Tensions rise as U.S. Central Command refutes claims of an American airstrike, attributing a deadly explosion in Yemen to Houthi missile fire instead.

A recent explosion near a UNESCO world heritage site in Sana, Yemen, has become a contentious issue between the U.S. government and the Houthi-led authorities. The blast occurred on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals and leaving approximately 30 others injured. Initially, the Houthi-controlled health ministry blamed the United States for the attack, alleging it was part of a broader military operation targeting civilian areas.

However, U.S. Central Command has pushed back against these claims, stating that evidence indicates the explosion was caused by a missile from Houthi air defense rather than American military action. Dave Eastburn, a spokesperson, clarified in a statement that the nearest U.S. strike took place over three miles away from the affected neighborhood and emphasized that while damage and casualties did occur, they were not the result of an American airstrike.

The Pentagon's narrative was partly supported by local reporting involving video evidence showing missile fragments with Arabic writing. Yet, early investigations by media outlets like The New York Times have pointed out that this evidence came from a different location than the explosion site. Meanwhile, Houthi officials maintain their stance, with a member of their Politburo questioning the reliability of U.S. claims and asserting that prior strikes had led to significant civilian casualties.

As both sides continue to dispute the facts surrounding the blast, the situation reflects the complexities of the ongoing conflict in Yemen and highlights the broader geopolitical tensions involving the U.S. and Houthi forces.