President Trump’s administration has unleashed a relentless wave of airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels, resulting in dozens of casualties – and it hit them so hard that they’re now effectively declaring war against U.S. ships.
At a glance:
• US strikes in Yemen killed 53 people, including women and children, with 98 others wounded
• President Trump vowed to use “overwhelming lethal force” until Houthi attacks on shipping cease
• Houthis claim to have launched 18 missiles and a drone at the USS Harry Truman carrier group in retaliation
• The rebel group says their attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Gaza conflict
• Iran condemned the US strikes while continuing to arm the Houthi rebels despite public denials
Trump Orders Crushing Response to Houthi Aggression
The United States has launched a massive military campaign against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, targeting key leadership and military installations across the country. President Donald Trump authorized the strikes after months of Houthi attacks on international shipping vessels that have severely disrupted one of the world’s most crucial maritime trade routes. And now they’re promising to escalade in response.
The new operation has reportedly resulted in 53 casualties, including women and children, with 98 others wounded according to Houthi sources. US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz confirmed that American forces specifically targeted Houthi leadership in the operation designed to cripple their ability to threaten international shipping.
President Trump delivered a clear message to the terrorist group, warning that “hell will rain down upon you” if attacks on shipping continue. The President’s forceful stance marks a significant departure from previous administrations’ hesitancy to directly confront Iranian proxy forces operating throughout the Middle East.
“We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective,” Trump said.
The Houthis have attacked over 100 merchant vessels in recent months, causing major disruptions to global trade and dramatically increasing shipping costs.
Houthis Promise Retaliation as Regional Tensions Escalate
The Houthi rebels wasted no time in responding to American military action, claiming to have launched multiple attacks on US Naval forces in the region. A Houthi spokesperson stated they attacked the USS Harry Truman carrier group twice within 24 hours, launching 18 missiles and a drone at American warships “in retaliation to the continued American aggression against our country.”
US officials have not confirmed any successful strikes against American vessels yet, with reports indicating US forces have intercepted numerous Houthi drones and missiles. The rebel group has vowed to continue targeting American ships and interests until the United States ceases its military operations against their forces in Yemen.
Iran has predictably condemned the American airstrikes while continuing to deny their extensive support for the Houthi rebels. Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Gen. Hossein Salami insisted that “Yemenis are an independent and free nation in their own land, with an independent national policy,” despite overwhelming evidence of Tehran’s military and financial backing of the group.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified the administration’s strategic objectives, saying, “I want to be very clear, this campaign is about freedom of navigation and restoring deterrence.”
This isn’t war – unless Iran makes it war.
