President Donald Trump has ordered significant military action against the Iranian-backed Houthi group in Yemen. The strikes, which took place on Saturday, March 15, 2025, targeted key military assets, including radars, air defenses, missiles, and drones. This move comes as a response to ongoing threats to U.S. shipping and international trade in the region.
The White House emphasized that these actions are designed to protect American interests and deter terrorist activities. In a statement, officials noted that the Houthis had been a persistent threat to both the U.S. economy and national security. Trump was seen monitoring the strikes from the White House, dressed in golf attire and wearing a headset.
Reports indicate that at least 19 people were killed in the strikes, which may have included targeted attacks on Houthi leaders at their residences. Yemeni media suggested that the home of a senior Houthi official was among the locations hit, although there has been no official confirmation of casualties among leadership figures.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released videos showing fighter jets launching from an aircraft carrier and cruise missiles being fired from a destroyer, illustrating the scale of the operation. These strikes are expected to be just the beginning of a campaign that could last several days, depending on how the Houthis respond.
In a social media post, Trump condemned the Houthi group for their “unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism” against vessels in the Red Sea. He pointed out that American shipping has been severely disrupted, with no U.S. flagged commercial ships safely passing through crucial waterways for over a year. Trump criticized the previous administration’s handling of the situation, claiming that a weak response had emboldened the Houthis.
The President’s message was clear: the attacks on American ships would not be tolerated, and the U.S. would respond with overwhelming force. He warned the Houthis that their time was up and urged Iran to cease its support for the group immediately. Trump’s strong rhetoric underscored the seriousness of the U.S. commitment to protecting its interests and allies in the region.
As the situation unfolds, the world will be watching closely to see how the Houthis react and what further actions the U.S. may take in response to this ongoing conflict.