Sanaa (South24) 

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The Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthi militia stated today that 16 officers from its forces were killed in US-UK strikes that have been ongoing since January 12.

The Houthi-affiliate Saba Agency said that 16 officers will be buried in Sanaa in an official presence of senior officials. The agency did not specify the brigades or units to which the officers belonged, or the governorates in which they were killed.

On January 12, the Houthi military spokesman said that 5 of their members were killed and 6 others were injured in the US-UK strikes.

The Houthis also admitted on December 31 that 10 of their members were killed by US Navy fire in the Red Sea. This brings the total recognized toll of the Houthis to date to 32 dead and 6 wounded.

Today, the US Central Command announced that it carried out strikes against two Houthi unmanned surface vessels (USVs), four mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, and a mobile land-attack cruise missile (LACM) that were prepared for launch against ships in the Red Sea.

On Thursday, the US Central Command also carried out strikes against four Houthi drone boats and seven anti-ship cruise missiles, which were prepared for launch.

In a video speech on Thursday, the Houthi leader said that 86 strikes were carried out by the US and the UK within a week against his forces and had no effect.

Yesterday, the US Ambassador to Yemen, Steven Fagin, said, “The classification of the Houthis as a terrorist group will take effect at the end of next week if the militia does not stop its strikes on ships". 

U.S. Ambassador Fagin: “The classification of the Houthis as a terrorist group will take effect at the end of next week if the militia does not stop its strikes on ships.” pic.twitter.com/cz3cCJ7O6Q

— U.S. Embassy to Yemen السفارة الأمريكية لدى اليمن (@USEmbassyYemen) February 9, 2024

Among the names of those the Houthis claimed to be killed in the US-UK strikes, four people whose funeral in Ibb Governorate took place two days ago and was published by the Houthi-affiliate Saba Agency. It said that they were killed while carrying their duty. Local media also reported that the four were killed during confrontations with local citizens.