The United States launched major airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saturday after they repeatedly attacked ships in the Red Sea. The attacks killed at least 24 people and are expected to continue for several days, according to US officials.
Former President Donald Trump, who led the operation, also warned Iran—the Houthis’ main supporter—to stop helping them. He said, “If Iran threatens the United States, we will hold you fully accountable.”
The US military operation is the biggest in the Middle East since Trump took office. It comes as America increases pressure on Iran over its nuclear program.
Trump posted on his Truth Social platform: “To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP! If you don’t stop, you will face consequences like never before!”
Civilian Casualties and Houthi Response
Reports from Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, say that at least 13 civilians were killed and nine injured in the airstrikes. In another attack in Saada, 11 people, including four children and a woman, died, and 14 others were hurt.
The Houthis called the US strikes a “war crime” and said they would fight back.
One resident in Sanaa described the airstrikes as “violent explosions that shook the neighborhood like an earthquake”. Another attack hit a power station in Dahyan, causing a blackout. Dahyan is known as a key meeting place for the Houthis’ leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi.
Why Did the US Strike the Houthis?
The Houthis, a powerful armed group, have controlled most of Yemen for the past 10 years. Since November 2023, they have been attacking ships in the Red Sea, affecting global trade. The US military says the Houthis have attacked:
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US warships 174 times
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Commercial ships 145 times
The Houthis claim their attacks are in support of Palestinians due to the Israel-Gaza war.
The group has sunk two ships, seized another, and killed at least four seafarers. Their actions have forced many shipping companies to take longer, more expensive routes around Africa.
Stronger US Military Action
Under previous President Joe Biden, the US took limited action against the Houthis. However, Trump has now authorized a much stronger military response.
Saturday’s strikes involved fighter jets from the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman, stationed in the Red Sea. The US Central Command confirmed that these were just the beginning of a large-scale military operation across Yemen.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, “Houthi attacks on US ships and troops will not be tolerated. Freedom of navigation will be restored.”
Trump also warned of even stronger attacks in the future:
“We will use overwhelming lethal force until we achieve our goal.”
The US recently sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, seeking talks on its nuclear program. However, Iran refused negotiations.
Iran has been under increasing pressure due to economic problems, and US officials believe public frustration in Iran could lead to protests.
Meanwhile, Iran is accelerating its uranium enrichment to near weapons-grade levels, raising concerns among Western countries. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
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US Informs Russia
In an unexpected move, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about the US strikes. Russia has been using Iranian-supplied weapons in its war in Ukraine, according to US and Ukrainian officials.
What’s Next?
The situation remains tense, with the US promising continued military action if the Houthis do not stop their attacks. The Houthis, on the other hand, say they are ready to fight back. Iran’s response and its role in the conflict will also be closely watched.
