U.S. launches airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, Trump issues new warning

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. President Donald Trump ordered a series of airstrikes on Houthi-held areas in Yemen on Saturday, vowing to use “overwhelming lethal force” until the Iranian-backed rebel group halts attacks on shipping along a vital maritime corridor. The Houthis claimed that at least 18 civilians were killed in the strikes.

“Our brave Warfighters are right now carrying out aerial attacks on the terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defenses to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore Navigational Freedom,” Trump said in a social media post. “No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World.”

Trump also warned Iran to cease its support for the Houthis, declaring that the U.S. would hold Tehran “fully accountable” for the actions of its proxy forces. His decision to launch the airstrikes comes just two weeks after he sent a letter to Iranian leaders offering a pathway to resume talks regarding Iran’s advancing nuclear program. The U.S. president has repeatedly insisted that he will not allow Iran’s nuclear ambitions to become operational.

Heavy Bombardment Across Houthi Territory

The Houthis reported explosions in multiple areas on Saturday evening, including the capital, Sanaa, and Saada, a rebel stronghold near the Saudi border. Additional strikes were reported early Sunday in Hodeida, Bayda, and Marib provinces. Images circulating online showed thick plumes of smoke rising over Sanaa’s airport complex, which houses a large military facility.

According to the Houthi-run health ministry, at least 18 people were killed, including 13 in Sanaa and five in Saada. Another 24 were wounded, with nine injured in Sanaa and 15 in Saada.

A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the strikes were part of an ongoing military operation targeting Houthi positions and were expected to continue.

Houthi Leaders Vow Retaliation

Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, said the airstrikes would not deter their forces and warned of retaliation against the U.S. “Sanaa will remain Gaza’s shield and support and will not abandon it no matter the challenges,” he wrote on social media.

Another Houthi spokesman, Mohamed Abdulsalam, dismissed Trump’s claim that the rebel group threatens international shipping routes, calling it “false and misleading.”

The latest U.S. airstrikes came just days after the Houthis threatened to resume attacks on Israeli vessels in retaliation for Israel’s continued blockade of Gaza. The rebels had warned that their attacks would target ships in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Arabian Sea. However, no new Houthi attacks have been reported since then.

Escalation in Regional Conflict

The Houthis have previously launched over 100 missile and drone attacks on commercial and military vessels since the Israel-Hamas war began in late 2023. Their campaign resulted in the sinking of two vessels and the deaths of four sailors before the conflict de-escalated in January when a ceasefire was implemented in Gaza.

Despite their maritime aggression, the Houthis face significant domestic challenges. Yemen has been locked in a prolonged civil war, with the rebels grappling with economic hardships and internal unrest.

Houthi sources reported that the latest U.S. strikes hit a residential area in Sanaa’s northern district of Shouab. Residents described the intensity of the bombardment, with at least four explosions shaking the Eastern Geraf neighborhood, an area known to house Houthi military facilities and a political headquarters.

“The explosions were very strong,” said local resident Abdallah al-Alffi. “It was like an earthquake.”

U.S. Navy Assets Involved

Saturday’s airstrikes were conducted exclusively by the United States, marking the first U.S. military operation against the Houthis under Trump’s second administration. Previous joint airstrikes on Houthi targets had included Israel and Britain under the Biden administration.

The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, which consisted of an aircraft carrier, three Navy destroyers, and one cruiser, played a key role in the operation. The USS Georgia cruise missile submarine has also been deployed in the region.

Trump announced the strikes while spending the day at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

“These relentless assaults have cost the U.S. and World Economy many BILLIONS of Dollars while, at the same time, putting innocent lives at risk,” Trump said.

With tensions escalating, the region braces for further developments as the U.S. military operation against the Houthis continues.