The United States launched large-scale military strikes against Yemen’s Houthi forces on Saturday in response to their attacks on Red Sea shipping. The Iran-backed group reported at least 31 casualties, marking the start of an operation expected to last for weeks.
Former President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Iran, the Houthis’ main backer, stating that if Tehran threatened the U.S., it would be held “fully accountable.” In a post on his Truth Social platform, he declared: “To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP. If they don’t stop, hell will rain down upon you like nothing you have ever seen before!”
The U.S. Central Command confirmed the strikes were intended to protect American interests and restore freedom of navigation. Images released by the military showed fighter jets launching from the USS Harry S. Truman and precision strikes on Houthi targets across Yemen, including Sanaa, Hodeida, Bayda, and Marib.
According to the Houthi-run health ministry, at least 13 civilians were killed and nine others injured in Sanaa. In the northern Saada province, at least 11 more, including four children, were killed. The group condemned the attacks as a “war crime” and vowed “escalation for escalation.”
US-British Operation Against Houthis
The Houthis have carried out over 145 attacks on commercial vessels and 174 strikes on U.S. warships since 2023, claiming they were targeting Israeli-linked ships in solidarity with Gaza. Their offensive has disrupted global trade, forcing ships to reroute via southern Africa.
While the U.S. has intercepted many Houthi-launched drones and missiles, Trump’s administration has opted for a more aggressive stance, with officials suggesting that the operation could last several weeks.
A Pentagon spokesperson emphasized that “Houthi attacks on American ships, aircraft, and troops will not be tolerated, and Iran, their benefactor, is on notice.”
Iran’s Response and Regional Tensions
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes, calling them “criminal brutality” and urging the U.S. to “end its support for Israeli genocide and terrorism.” The Houthis, in turn, announced plans to resume attacks on Israeli ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Meanwhile, tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain high, especially as Iran accelerates its uranium enrichment program. The International Atomic Energy Agency has warned that Tehran is nearing weapons-grade levels, fueling Western concerns about its nuclear ambitions.
In a separate development, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about the strikes, indicating Washington’s diplomatic maneuvering amid rising geopolitical tensions.
As the situation escalates, the conflict in Yemen threatens to further destabilize the region, with potential ramifications for global trade and security.
Source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/houthis-vow-to-respond-to-us-war-crime-after-24-said-killed-in-strikes-across-yemen/