The United States has carried out a series of air strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, citing the group’s continued attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea. President Donald Trump stated that the strikes were a response to Houthi aggression, describing their actions as “piracy, violence, and terrorism” funded by Iran.
According to Houthi officials, at least 31 people were killed and 101 others injured in the air strikes. The group has vowed to retaliate, stating that the attacks will not deter its support for Palestinians in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
The US strikes targeted key Houthi positions in Sanaa and Saada, with unverified images showing plumes of smoke rising from areas surrounding the Yemeni capital’s airport. The Houthis accused the US and the UK of targeting residential areas, though the UK has denied direct participation in the latest strikes, confirming only that it provided refuelling support to US forces.
Trump warned that further Houthi aggression would be met with “overwhelming lethal force,” reiterating that US forces will not tolerate further attacks on military and commercial vessels. He also accused Iran of supporting Houthi operations and stated that Washington would hold Tehran “fully accountable.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded by condemning the US strikes, criticising Washington’s continued support for Israel. He called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged the US to “end its killing of Yemeni people.”
Since November 2023, the Houthis have carried out nearly 200 attacks on Red Sea shipping routes, targeting vessels with missiles, drones, and small boat operations. The group stats its operations are focused on Israeli-linked vessels and in steadfast support of what the people of Gaza are having to endure, but Western officials state that international trade has been significantly disrupted.
The US and UK previously conducted joint air and naval operations against the Houthis, while Israel has separately launched air strikes against sites linked to the group. The Houthis have continued to escalate their activities despite the deployment of Western warships and ongoing military action.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the situation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, stating that continued Houthi attacks “will not be tolerated.” Lavrov urged for an immediate cessation of military action and called for diplomatic solutions to prevent further conflict.
Shipping disruptions in the Red Sea have forced major trade routes to shift, with vessels rerouting around southern Africa to avoid the conflict zone.
President Trump directly addressed the Houthis, warning that if they did not halt their activities, “HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE.” The group has remained defiant, insisting that its actions will continue in support of Palestinians.
As tensions rise, the US has reiterated its demand for Iran to end its backing of the Houthis. Trump also criticised the previous Biden administration, claiming it had been “pathetically weak” in dealing with the Houthi threat, allowing their actions to escalate unchecked.
