Sana'a - Washington: Europe and the Arabs - Agencies
Shortly after US attacks targeted Yemeni cities, resulting in deaths and injuries, as part of the US administration's announcement of targeting the Houthi group, the New York Times published a report stating that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared "detailed" information about preparations for airstrikes on Yemen on March 15, prior to the attack, via a Signal group that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer, according to four sources familiar with the conversation.
The sources explained that the information the secretary shared was the same information he had mistakenly passed on to a journalist from The Atlantic magazine after being added to the chat group by Homeland Security Secretary Mike Waltz in the infamous incident. According to what was reported by the Brussels-based Euronews website, the information included flight schedules for F/A-18 Hornet aircraft targeting the Houthis in Yemen. The newspaper notes that the existence of a second previously unreported Signal chat group and the fact that the Defense Secretary shared sensitive military information with his family raise questions about his suitability for such a security position.
In addition, the New York Times confirms that Hegsett, who according to sources "ignored advice from aides not to discuss sensitive details on non-government channels," created the group, called "Defense | Team Meeting," shortly before taking office in January, using his personal, not a government, phone.
Remarkably, the group included 12 people from his personal and professional circle and was used to share sensitive information. His wife, brother, and lawyer remained in the group, even though they were not required to be there. This, the newspaper says, raises doubts about his understanding of the demands of his position.
Trump's Defense Secretary had previously been criticized for including his wife in security meetings, including a discussion with senior Pentagon officials about the war in Ukraine.
Camera cameras also documented the appearance of this former Fox News producer sitting behind her husband. Politico published an article by former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot, who left his post a few days ago, commenting scathingly on the incident. He wrote: "It's been a month of complete chaos at the Pentagon. From leaks of sensitive operational plans to mass firings, the turmoil is now a major distraction for the president, who deserves better from his senior leadership."
Ulliot questioned the possibility of the defense secretary remaining in his position, saying: "It's hard to see Hegseth staying in his position much longer."
These developments follow the dismissal of Dan Caldwell, one of Hegseth's senior advisors, after an investigation revealed his involvement in leaking information "related to national security," according to Reuters.
This came after 12 people were killed and 30 others were injured in a preliminary toll of "US airstrikes on Yemen," according to the Ministry of Health. The strikes were concentrated in the governorates of Al Mahwit, Amran, and Sana'a, according to Yemeni media. Al Masirah TV, which is close to the Houthi Ansar Allah movement, reported that at least four airstrikes targeted the Sarwah district in the central Ma'rib governorate.
The same channel published images of the attack, which took place in the popular Farwah neighborhood market in the Shu'ub district of Sana'a, describing it as a "crime" and "American aggression."
These airstrikes come less than two days after a similar American bombing targeted the Houthi-controlled Ras Issa oil port in northwestern Yemen. The attack killed 38 people and wounded 102 others, according to a statement issued by the Ansar Allah group early Friday.
On Friday, thousands of Yemenis took to the streets of the capital, Sana'a, to condemn the US airstrikes targeting the country and express their solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
US attacks on Yemen have escalated since President Donald Trump announced the launch of a campaign against the Houthis. Hundreds of airstrikes have been reported in recent weeks, resulting in the deaths of hundreds, according to the Ansar Allah group. During his participation in the demonstration, the group's leader, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, said, "We will not abandon the Palestinian cause, no matter the sacrifices." The US Central Command issued a statement confirming that its forces "have taken action to eliminate this fuel source for the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists and deprive them of the illicit revenues that have funded the Houthis' efforts to terrorize the entire region for more than 10 years."