Donald Trump has ordered military strikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. This decision comes after the Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have been launching attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump made it clear that Iran’s support for the Houthis must stop immediately.
On Saturday evening, explosions rocked the capital city of Sanaa. The Houthi-run health ministry reported that at least 31 civilians were killed and over 100 others injured, many of whom were women and children. Eyewitnesses described the blasts as powerful, comparing them to an earthquake.
Trump stated that these strikes were a response to the Houthis’ ongoing assaults on American and allied vessels. He warned the group that their time is up and that if they do not cease their attacks, they would face severe consequences. He emphasized that Iran would be held accountable for the actions of its proxy forces, saying, "And we won’t be nice about it!"
The Houthis had recently threatened to resume attacks on Israeli ships due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, but no such attacks had been reported since their announcement. The U.S. has previously conducted strikes in Yemen against Houthi positions, particularly during the Biden administration, in response to similar threats.
Images from the strikes showed thick plumes of smoke rising from the areas targeted, including a military facility near the airport complex in Sanaa. The operation was carried out solely by U.S. forces, marking the first military action against the Houthis during Trump’s second term as president.
The Houthis have been involved in over 100 attacks on shipping since November 2023, claiming these actions were in solidarity with Palestinians amid the conflict with Israel. Trump’s administration is taking a strong stance against these threats, asserting that such assaults have cost the global economy billions and endangered innocent lives.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, the international community is watching closely to see how these developments will unfold.