In a significant escalation of military action, airstrikes were launched against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen by the United States on Saturday. President Donald Trump revealed the military offensive, emphasizing the application of “overwhelming lethal force” to deter the Iran-backed rebels from attacks on vital maritime routes. According to the Houthis, at least 31 individuals lost their lives in these operations. White House national security official, on Sunday, confirmed multiple successful strikes on Houthi leadership.
“Our courageous warfighters are conducting aerial attacks targeting terrorist strongholds, their leadership, and missile defenses to secure American maritime freedom,” Trump declared through social media channels. “No terrorist group will stop American commercial and naval vessels from navigating international waterways.” Additionally, Trump cautioned Iran to cease its support for the Houthis, asserting accountability for Iran’s proxy activities, following an offer for bilateral talks over Iran’s nuclear agenda.
Michael Waltz, Trump’s national security advisor, detailed on ABC’s “This Week” that the strikes prominently focused on dismantling Houthi leadership. Witnesses and reports indicated explosions within the Houthi territories, including the capital Sanaa and the northern Saada province, as well as a sprawling military complex near Sanaa’s airport. Further raids were observed in Hodeida, Bayda, and Marib provinces.
The Houthi Health Ministry reported elevating casualties, including women and children, while a spokesperson cited additional injuries. Under anonymity, a U.S. official disclosed the commencement of continuous airstrikes on Houthi targets. In response, Houthi representative Nasruddin Amer vowed retaliation against the United States, affirming sustained support for Gaza amid regional challenges.
Mohamed Abdulsalam, another Houthi spokesperson, described U.S. allegations of threats to shipping lanes as deceptive. The assaults followed earlier Houthi threats to target Israeli vessels near Yemen, correlated with Israel’s blockade of Gaza, impacting the Red Sea and other strategic waters.
Reports of Houthi attacks have ceased since the blockade notice. Concurrently, tensions in Gaza rose as Israel halted aid and signaled potential consequences for Hamas if ceasefires were not upheld. Earlier reports indicated Houthi hostile actions against over 100 vessels, causing notable maritime disruptions.
The U.S. airstrikes marked a return to aggressive military postures by the U.S., targeting residential neighborhoods, with significant shocks likened to earthquakes by residents. Significant Houthi locations such as military facilities were targeted within densely populated areas of Eastern Geraf.
The U.S.-led operation comes after previous targeted efforts by allied Israel and Britain against Houthis. Saturday’s offensive was exclusively conducted by U.S. forces, marking a precedent in Trump’s administration regarding Yemen. Preceding administrations also engaged in responsive military actions following repeated Houthi incursions against commercial and military navigation.
Notably, the USS Harry S. Truman strike group, along with naval units, played a crucial part in the weekend’s mission, joined by a cruise missile submarine in the operational zone. As Trump spent Saturday at his golf club in Florida, he underlined the economic ramifications and the risk to human lives posed by Houthi aggressions on international commerce.
