Kathmandu: The United States has carried out a series of powerful air strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, President Donald Trump announced, citing the group’s continued attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea. The strikes come as part of an ongoing effort to deter the Iran-backed Houthis from disrupting global shipping lanes.
According to a BBC report, Trump described the Houthis as “pirates and terrorists” who have endangered international trade and US military assets. “We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective,” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform. He warned Iran against continued support for the Houthis, holding Tehran “fully accountable” for the group’s actions.
The Houthi-run health ministry reported that at least 31 people were killed and more than 100 were injured in the strikes. The rebel group, which controls Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and large parts of the country’s northwest, vowed to retaliate, stating that the US “aggression will not go without response.”
BBC sources confirmed that multiple explosions were reported in Sanaa and the northern Saada province, a stronghold of the Houthis. Unverified images circulating online showed thick plumes of smoke rising from areas near the capital’s airport, which includes a military facility.
The US and the UK have previously targeted Houthi military installations in response to repeated attacks on international shipping. However, Britain did not participate in the latest round of strikes, though it provided logistical support, including refueling operations.
The Houthis have been targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023, claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. While the group asserts it only targets ships linked to Israel, the US, or the UK, its actions have led to widespread disruption of global trade.
Major shipping companies have been forced to reroute around Africa, avoiding the Red Sea and the crucial Suez Canal.
BBC reports indicate that more than 400 missiles and drones have been launched from Yemen toward Israel since July 2024, with the majority intercepted.
The escalation has prompted military responses from the US, the UK, and Israel, intensifying regional tensions.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov regarding the crisis. While the US reaffirmed its commitment to deterring Houthi aggression, Russia called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and diplomatic negotiations to prevent further escalation.
As the situation unfolds, the US remains firm in its stance. “If they do not stop, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE,” Trump warned the Houthis, according to the BBC. However, the group remains defiant, pledging continued resistance against US and allied forces.
Source: BBC