The U.S. military has denied responsibility for a deadly blast near Yemen's UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sanaa, blaming a Houthi missile instead. The explosion, which occurred on Sunday, killed at least a dozen people, according to the Houthi-run health ministry, which claimed it was caused by a U.S. airstrike. However, U.S. Central Command stated the nearest American strike that night was over three miles away and not responsible for the casualties.
A CENTCOM spokesperson said the damage was “likely caused” by a Houthi air defense missile, citing local footage showing Arabic markings on missile debris. The Houthis reportedly arrested Yemeni civilians after the incident. A Houthi official, quoted by the New York Times, accused the U.S. of deflecting blame to tarnish the group’s image.
President Donald Trump recently ordered intensified military operations in Yemen to dismantle the Iran-backed Houthis’ military and economic infrastructure. On Thursday, a U.S. strike on an oil terminal killed 74 people, making it the deadliest attack since the escalation began.
Rights groups and Democratic senators, including Chris Van Hollen, have expressed concern over rising civilian casualties, urging the Pentagon to account for the toll.
The Houthis, who control large areas of Yemen, have targeted Red Sea shipping since November 2023, claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Gaza’s health ministry reports over 51,000 deaths amid Israel’s military operations, which were triggered by Hamas' October 2023 attack that killed 1,200 in Israel and led to ongoing hostilities.
The U.S. insists its strikes are aimed at protecting global maritime trade and reducing Houthi threats, though mounting civilian deaths risk further inflaming the conflict and international criticism.