The United States has launched a series of air strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen, following attacks on ships in the Red Sea by the armed group.
US President Donald Trump described the strikes as “decisive and powerful”, saying the Houthis’ actions had caused “billions of dollars” in damage and put many lives at risk.
“Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at US aircraft, and targeted our troops and allies,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The Houthi-run health ministry reported that at least 15 people were killed and nine others injured in the attacks.
The Houthis have said they will retaliate. They claimed that explosions were reported in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, and in Saada, a Houthi stronghold near Saudi Arabia.
The group accused the US and UK of targeting residential areas in Sanaa. However, reports suggest that the UK did not take part in Saturday’s strikes but only provided refueling support.
A Houthi spokesperson said, “This aggression will not go without response, and our Yemeni armed forces are ready to answer escalation with further escalation.”
Iran, which supports the Houthis, has condemned the US strikes. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said the US “has no authority to dictate Iranian foreign policy.”
He added on X: “End support for Israeli genocide and terrorism. Stop killing of Yemeni people.”
Since November 2023, the Houthis have attacked dozens of merchant ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. They have sunk two vessels, seized a third ship and killed four crew members.
The group says its attacks are in support of Palestinians in Gaza and claims to only target ships linked to Israel, the US, or the UK.
However, the US and UK have carried out air and naval strikes against the Houthis before. Israel has also targeted them, claiming they launched over 400 missiles and drones at Israeli territory.
Major shipping companies have stopped using the Red Sea, choosing longer routes around Africa instead. The Suez Canal, a key trade route between Asia and Europe, has also been affected.
President Trump warned the Houthis that if they did not stop their attacks, the US would respond with “overwhelming lethal force.”
“HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE,” he wrote.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also warned that Iran, the Houthis’ main supporter, was “on notice.”
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, about the ongoing military operations. A State Department spokesperson said, “Continued Houthi attacks on US military and commercial vessels will not be tolerated.”
The US has accused Iran of backing the Houthi attacks and warned that Washington would hold Tehran fully responsible.
