Trump Orders 'Decisive' Strikes on Yemen's Houthis, Dozens Reported Killed

 

 

In a major escalation, U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered "decisive" military action against Houthi rebels in Yemen, intensifying the conflict with the Iran-backed group responsible for Red Sea attacks on international shipping lanes.

Trump’s Statement on Houthi Strikes

Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States would deploy "overwhelming lethal force" to counter Houthi aggression "until we have achieved our objective." This move marks the beginning of a sustained military operation that could last for weeks. The Houthis have responded with threats of retaliation, warning of further escalation.

Casualties and Military Impact

According to Yemen’s Houthi-run health ministry, at least 53 people have been killed and nearly 100 wounded, including women and children. The strikes reportedly targeted high-ranking Houthi leaders, with U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz confirming multiple casualties among the group's top officials. Waltz called the attacks an "overwhelming response" aimed at "holding Iran responsible" for supporting the Houthis.

Houthi Retaliation and Red Sea Conflict

On Sunday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for launching 18 missiles and drones at the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman in the northern Red Sea. Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi stated, "If they continue their aggression, we will continue the escalation." However, U.S. officials confirmed there were no injuries or damage to the carrier.

The Houthis began attacking commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea in late 2023, citing retaliation for Israel’s war in Gaza. These attacks have significantly disrupted global trade. Though the group halted strikes following a Gaza ceasefire in January, they have since resumed threats due to Israeli aid blockages.

U.S. Military Strategy and Future Actions

Trump declared that U.S. forces are targeting Houthi bases, leadership, and missile defenses to protect American naval assets and global shipping routes. A senior U.S. defense official told CNN that further actions depend on battle damage assessments but confirmed that "more military operations against the Houthis are expected in the coming weeks."

Trump also issued a direct warning to Iran, the Houthis’ main backer, demanding an immediate end to their support. He cautioned that if Iran threatens "the American people or their president, America will hold you fully accountable."

International Reactions to U.S. Strikes

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. attacks, stating, "The United States has no authority to dictate Iranian foreign policy. Stop supporting Israeli genocide and terrorism."

Russia also weighed in, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urging "an immediate cessation of the use of force" in Yemen during a call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Last summer, Moscow was reportedly preparing to supply weapons to the Houthis but refrained due to U.S. and Saudi pressure.

Strategic Military Targets in Yemen

The airstrikes hit multiple locations across Yemen:

• Sanaa (Yemen’s capital): Reports of civilian casualties.

• Saada (Northern Yemen): A power station in Dahyan was destroyed, causing a citywide blackout.

• Taiz (Southwest Yemen): Multiple Houthi military sites were targeted.

The Houthi political bureau condemned the strikes as a "war crime" and vowed retaliation, stating, "Our armed forces are fully prepared to respond to escalation with escalation."

Escalation of U.S. Military Action

Trump signed off on the strike plan weeks ago, and the final order was given Saturday. The U.S. had spent weeks gathering intelligence to coordinate a broader campaign against Houthi positions.

“This is not a one-off strike. This is the beginning of an ongoing military campaign that will last days, if not weeks," a senior U.S. official confirmed to CNN. While there are no plans for a ground invasion, the Pentagon is planning sustained strategic airstrikes against Houthi targets.

Background: U.S. Response to Houthi Threats

Since late 2023, the Biden administration conducted limited strikes on Houthi positions, targeting underground weapons facilities. However, these actions failed to deter further attacks. Trump has since taken a more aggressive stance, recently designating the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization.

In his Truth Social post, Trump criticized Biden’s approach, calling it "pathetically weak" and saying, "To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP. YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP TODAY. IF THEY DON’T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!"

Conclusion: A New Phase in U.S. Military Engagement

The latest U.S. strikes against the Houthis signal a new phase of military action aimed at securing Red Sea trade routes and countering Iranian-backed aggression. With both sides vowing escalation, the conflict risks further destabilizing the region. Global leaders now watch closely as tensions rise between the U.S., Iran, and the Houthi forces.