Military Action Initiated Against Houthis in Yemen by Trump; Iran Warned
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Topline
President Donald Trump cranked up the heat on Yemen's Houthi rebels by ordering airstrikes, marking his most substantial military action in his second term. Simultaneously, Trump threw a cautionary jab at Iran for continuing to back the Houthi group, warning of repercussions if they persist.
Key Facts
The U.S. struck several Houthi targets across Yemen on Saturday, including radar systems, air defenses, missile and drone facilities, according to anonymous sources speaking to the New York Times.
In a post on his favorite social media platform, Truth Social, Trump declared the attacks in response to the Houthis' unrelenting piracy, violence, and terrorism - likely a reference to their attacks on ships in the Red Sea. Despite ties to the U.S., UK, or Israel, the group has not restrained from indiscriminate targeting.
Trump promised to employ overwhelming lethal force until their goal is accomplished, pointing fingers at the Houthis for causing billions of dollars in losses from disrupting trading routes and targeting American vessels.
The President also issued an aggressive warning to Iran, demanding an end to its support for the Houthi terrorists or face dire consequences - push comes to shove, they won't get a rap on the knuckles!
Clips of airstrike damage circulated social media, with some depicting smoke billowing from Yemen's Sanaa International Airport.
The strikes resulted in at least nine casualties after hitting a residential neighborhood in Sanaa's northern Shouab district, news outlets reported, citing Yemen's Houthi-run health ministry.
Why Did Trump Bomb the Houthis?
Trump's Truth Social post referenced the Houthis' November attack on American warships in the Red Sea. More than eight drones, five anti-ship ballistic missiles, and three anti-ship cruise missiles targeted the vessels. The recent airstrikes came hot on the heels of the Houthis renewing their threats against vessels linked to Israel - aiming to force Israel to let humanitarian aid flow into Gaza[2]. Earlier this month, Israel blocked aid entering Gaza to pressure the Hamas militant group into revising the terms of the ceasefire agreement[3].
Key Background
The Houthis, a Shiite militant group backed by Iran since seizing Yemen's capital in 2014, have extended their attacks on ships in the Red Sea since late 2023, supporting Hamas during its October 2023 attack on Israel[1]. Though initially focusing on Israeli-bound vessels, the Houthis' attacks soon targeted ships linked to the U.S. or UK[4]. Previously, under President Joe Biden, the U.S. conducted strikes against the Houthis, but these failed to deter the group[1]. Trump criticized Biden's "limp-wristed" strategy, accusing it of enabling the "unchecked Houthis" to persist in disrupting shipping in the Red Sea[4].
Further Reading
- Houthis: Any Israeli Ship in Nearby Waters Fair Game (Associated Press)
- Who are the Houthis? Friend and Foe of Yemen (Forbes)
The Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have long been backed by Iran, were targeted by airstrikes ordered by President Donald Trump. These attacks were in response to the Houthis' persistent piracy, violence, and terrorism, as shown by their attacks on ships in the Red Sea. Trump warned Iran of repercussions if it continued to support the Houthi group. The recent airstrikes, which resulted in casualties in a residential neighborhood in Sanaa's northern Shouab district, have been accused by news outlets of indiscriminate targeting.
