US operation against the Houthis. Moscow calls for an immediate halt to the use of force and the adoption of dialogue as a means of settling the conflict.

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that Minister Sergei Lavrov called on Washington and the Houthis in Yemen to immediately cease the use of force and prioritize political dialogue.

In a statement on Sunday, it said, "A telephone conversation was initiated by the US side between Foreign Minister Lavrov and his US counterpart Rubio, during which the US side informed Russia of the commencement of a US military operation against the Houthis in the Red Sea region."

The Russian Foreign Ministry added that Lavrov "stressed the need for an immediate cessation of the use of force by all parties and the importance of engaging in political dialogue to achieve a settlement and prevent bloodshed."

US President Donald Trump ordered the military last night to launch a "decisive and forceful" military operation against the Houthis in Yemen, who have been carrying out "terrorist attacks and piracy against US ships and aircraft in the region."

Airstrikes targeting Sana'a, Sa'dah, and Al Bayda killed 31 people and injured 101 others, according to Houthi health authorities. No casualties have been reported in the governorates of Ma'rib, Dhamar, Hajjah, and Taiz, which were also hit by US airstrikes.

For their part, the Houthis described the US raids on Yemen as "blatant aggression" and threatened a "painful" response.

The US operation, which according to US officials is expected to last for a long time, comes days after the Houthi militia announced its intention to resume military operations against Israeli ships in the Red Sea starting Tuesday. This comes after the Houthis had suspended their operations under the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas on January 19.

During the Israeli war on Gaza, the Iranian-backed Houthi militia launched attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and surrounding waters. These attacks also targeted commercial vessels and naval vessels belonging to the United States and Britain.

Source: Agencies + Yemen Youth Net