The United States has launched a series of airstrikes on Houthi rebel positions in Yemen following continued attacks on military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea. President Donald Trump on Saturday vowed to use “overwhelming lethal force” until the rebels cease their aggression.
Houthi Attacks and Retaliation
The Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting international shipping, claiming their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Their attacks temporarily halted in January but resumed last week after Israel reduced humanitarian aid to Gaza. In response, the US carried out one of the largest strikes since the war in Gaza began in October 2023.
The Houthi-run Health Ministry reported that at least 31 people, including women and children, were killed in the US strikes, with over 100 injured. The rebels have vowed to retaliate and “meet escalation with escalation.”
US Military Operations and Iran’s Role
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the strikes will continue until the Houthis lose their ability to disrupt shipping routes. Trump’s National Security Adviser, Michael Waltz, claimed that multiple Houthi leaders were targeted and eliminated.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard denied involvement in the Houthi attacks, but the US has accused Tehran of providing military aid to the rebels. The US Navy has intercepted Iranian-made missile parts destined for Yemen in the past.
Escalation in the Red Sea
The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, including several Navy destroyers and a missile submarine, was part of the mission. The conflict has led to the most significant combat engagement for the US Navy since World War II.
As tensions rise, the international community remains on high alert, closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East.
