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The United States has initiated a significant military campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen, with President Donald Trump describing the operation as "decisive and powerful." These strikes come in response to the Houthi group's persistent attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea, which have disrupted global maritime trade for months.
According to the Houthi-run health ministry, at least 31 people were killed and 101 others injured in the initial wave of strikes. Explosions were reported Saturday evening in Yemen's capital Sanaa and in the northern province of Saada, a rebel stronghold near the Saudi Arabian border.
President Trump warned the Iranian-backed group directly, stating: "If they did not stop, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE." The president also accused Iran of funding what he called "Houthi thugs" who have "fired missiles at US aircraft, and targeted our Troops and Allies."
The Houthis have remained defiant, promising to respond to the American attacks. Their political bureau described the strikes as a "war crime" and stated, "Our Yemeni armed forces are fully prepared to respond to escalation with escalation."
Since November 2023, the Houthis have targeted dozens of merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, sinking two ships, seizing another, and killing four crew members. The group claims these actions are in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza conflict.
The Pentagon reports that the Houthis have attacked U.S. warships 174 times and commercial vessels 145 times since 2023. This persistent threat has forced major shipping companies to avoid the Red Sea, through which approximately 15% of global seaborne trade normally passes.
Trump criticized the previous Biden administration for being "pathetically weak" in its approach to the Houthi threat. U.S. officials speaking anonymously have indicated that Trump has authorized a more aggressive military response than his predecessor.
The strikes on Saturday were partially carried out by fighter aircraft from the Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier stationed in the Red Sea. U.S. Central Command described these actions as the beginning of a large-scale operation across Yemen that could potentially continue for weeks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. military action, saying on social media platform X: "The U.S. government has no authority, or business, dictating Iranian foreign policy. End support for Israeli genocide and terrorism. Stop killing of Yemeni people."
The military operation comes amid increasing tensions between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program. Despite a recent letter from Trump to Iran's Supreme Leader seeking talks, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected negotiations with the United States last Wednesday.
