President Donald Trump authorized a series of airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in response to Iranian-backed Houthi rebels’ attacks on vital maritime routes. Trump pledged to use overwhelming force until the rebels cease their actions. The airstrikes targeted terrorist bases, leaders, and missile defenses to safeguard American interests and ensure navigational freedom. The President warned Iran to stop supporting the Houthis, holding the country accountable for its proxy’s actions.
Following the airstrikes, the Houthis reported casualties, with nine civilians killed and several others injured. Despite the attack, Houthi officials expressed determination to retaliate against the U.S. and continue supporting Gaza. The President’s action came after the Houthis threatened to target Israeli vessels in response to Israel’s blockade on Gaza, although no attacks had been carried out since then.
The airstrikes marked the latest development in the ongoing conflict in Yemen, with the U.S. taking the lead in this operation. The strikes targeted a residential neighborhood in Sanaa, causing panic among residents. While the U.S., Israel, and Britain have previously targeted Houthi-held areas, Israel did not comment on this specific operation. This latest strike was the first against the Houthis under the current administration.
Following a period of relative calm in the region, the Biden administration carried out multiple well-coordinated missile strikes against the Houthis in response to their frequent attacks on commercial and military vessels. The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, comprising the carrier along with three Navy destroyers and one cruiser, was deployed in the Red Sea for this mission. Additionally, the USS Georgia cruise missile submarine was also active in the area. The strikes were announced by President Trump while he was at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Trump highlighted the significant economic impact and the threat to innocent lives caused by the ongoing assaults. Reporting by Baldor in Washington and Magdy in Cairo, with contributions from AP White House Correspondent Zeke Miller in Washington.
