US President Donald Trump on Friday shared drone footage on his Truth Social platform, claiming it depicted a successful strike against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The monochrome video shows a group of individuals gathered in a rural area, followed by an explosion creating a large crater.
Two vehicles are visible post-blast, but no casualties can be seen. President Trump commented, "These Houthis gathered for instructions on an attack. Oops, there will be no attack by these Houthis! They will never sink our ships again!"
The footage quickly ignited widespread criticism on social media platforms.
Users, including politicians and US veterans, contended that the individuals targeted were civilians partaking in traditional tribal gatherings.
Scott Ritter, a former UN Weapons Inspector and US Marine Corps Intelligence Officer, responded, stating, "If you took the time to truly 'know your enemy,' you'd realise you just murdered a bunch of innocent civilians."
He further criticised the reliance on drone operators lacking cultural understanding, suggesting that the air campaign has been ineffective in halting Houthi missile strikes.
British politician and human rights advocate George Galloway also expressed shock, remarking, "I'm genuinely shocked that you did that and saw fit to boast about it. This was a tribal gathering... For all you know, these tribesmen sitting in a neat circle may not even have been 'Houthis.' Their sons are now..."
The Houthi movement, controlling significant portions of Yemen including the capital Sanaa, has been active in attacking merchant vessels in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and launching ballistic missiles towards Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
In response, the US intensified strikes in Yemen, with President Trump previously warning, "Your attacks must stop. If they don't, hell will rain down upon you."
Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree reaffirmed the group's commitment, stating they "will not abandon its religious, moral, and humanitarian duties toward the oppressed Palestinian people, regardless of the repercussions."
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