The United States launched a major military operation against Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen on Saturday, marking the beginning of a broader campaign aimed at deterring further attacks on international shipping and sending a warning to Iran. President Donald Trump, in announcing the strikes, framed them as a decisive move to halt Houthi disruptions of Red Sea trade routes and to hold Tehran accountable for its support of the group.
The air and naval strikes targeted radar installations, air defense systems, and missile and drone sites, making this the most significant military action of Trump’s second term so far. U.S. officials indicated that the campaign could last for weeks, depending on the Houthis’ response. Among the targets was at least one high-ranking Houthi commander.
Trump explained his actions on social media.
Today, I have ordered the United States Military to launch decisive and powerful Military action against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen. They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones.
Joe Biden’s response was pathetically weak, so the unrestrained Houthis just kept going. It has been over a year since a U.S. flagged commercial ship safely sailed through the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, or the Gulf of Aden. The last American Warship to go through the Red Sea, four months ago, was attacked by the Houthis over a dozen times. Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at U.S. aircraft, and targeted our Troops and Allies. 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.
The Houthi attack on American vessels will not be tolerated. We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective. The Houthis have choked off shipping in one of the most important Waterways of the World, grinding vast swaths of Global Commerce to a halt, and attacking the core principle of Freedom of Navigation upon which International Trade and Commerce depends.
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. No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World.
To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON’T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!
To Iran: Support for the Houthi terrorists must end IMMEDIATELY! Do NOT threaten the American People, their President, who has received one of the largest mandates in Presidential History, or Worldwide shipping lanes. If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable and, we won’t be nice about it!
The Biden administration had previously carried out airstrikes against the Houthis but was unable to curb their attacks on Red Sea shipping, noted The New York Times. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, the Houthis have launched multiple assaults on commercial and military vessels in the region. They briefly reduced their attacks following a cease-fire in Gaza but resumed operations after Israel imposed new restrictions on humanitarian aid to Palestinian territories earlier this month.
Trump’s strategy appears more forceful, with some national security officials advocating a prolonged offensive to weaken Houthi control in northern Yemen. However, the president has not yet committed to an expanded mission, cautious about becoming entangled in another prolonged Middle Eastern conflict. Pressure is mounting from U.S. and Israeli officials urging a stronger stance against Iran.
Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have carried out over 100 attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes in the past five months, using drones, missiles, and explosive-laden boats to target vessels. These operations have disrupted global trade through one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors and drawn widespread condemnation. Recently, the Houthis fired a surface-to-air missile at a U.S. Air Force F-16 over the Red Sea, though it missed. On the same day, a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone was lost, with Houthi forces claiming responsibility.
