Smoke is seen rising from a location hit by U.S. airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, on Saturday, according to Osamah Abdulrahman/AP. Dozens of casualties have been reported following a military action initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump against Houthi rebels in Yemen. This move marks a significant escalation against the Iran-backed group, which has been disrupting shipping routes in the Red Sea.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump declared the deployment of “overwhelming lethal force” against the Houthis until the American objectives are met, ushering in a potentially long-lasting operation. The airstrikes resulted in the deaths of at least 31 individuals and injuries to 101 others, predominantly women and children, as confirmed by the Houthi-run health ministry.
The Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran and based in Yemen, began targeting vessels in the Red Sea in late 2023 in retaliation for events in Gaza. Their attacks had a substantial impact on global trade until a ceasefire in Gaza temporarily halted their actions. Trump accused the Houthis of engaging in piracy, violence, and terrorism against American and other international interests, leading to the U.S. military actions to safeguard maritime and aerial assets and restore navigational freedom.
Further military actions against the Houthis are anticipated in the coming weeks, contingent on assessments of the initial strikes. Trump also issued a stern warning to Iran, the primary supporter of the Houthis, demanding an immediate cessation of backing for the group or face severe consequences.
In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister emphasized that the U.S. has no authority to dictate Iranian foreign policy and called for an end to Israeli aggression and violence. The ongoing conflict has resulted in casualties in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and the northern province of Saada, with strikes targeting various locations including a power station in Dahyan and military sites in Taiz.
The Houthi political bureau denounced the U.S. airstrikes as a war crime and vowed to respond in kind to any escalation. Trump approved the strike plan against the Houthis last week, paving the way for a sustained military campaign against the group. This operation required meticulous planning and intelligence gathering to conduct broader attacks against the rebels.
The Houthis have completed the necessary intelligence gathering for broader strikes, according to a senior military official speaking to CNN. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the strikes in a conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, emphasizing that attacks by the Houthis would not be accepted, as per a statement from the State Department. Last year, Russia had planned to provide weapons to the Houthis but backed off under pressure from the US and Saudi Arabia. Lavrov, in a phone call, stressed the urgent need for a halt to the use of force in Yemen, as stated by Russia’s foreign ministry.
In response to the Houthis disrupting shipping routes in the Red Sea, the US has been working to weaken Houthi capabilities for several months, citing the attacks as retaliation for Israel’s actions in Gaza against Hamas. The group has targeted over 100 ships using drones, missiles, and small vessels. President Donald Trump oversaw military strikes against the Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen, with the Biden administration continuing targeted strikes on Houthi positions, including hitting underground weapon storage facilities. However, these actions did not prevent further attacks.
The US strategy involves ongoing strategic targeted attacks, with no plans for invasion or ground troops. Trump had previously designated the Houthis as a “foreign terrorist organization.” Criticizing the Biden administration’s response to the Houthis as weak, Trump warned the group that their attacks must cease immediately or face severe consequences.
This story has been updated, with contributions from CNN’s Alayna Treene, Oren Liebermann, Sophie Tanno, Maria Kostenko, and Mohammed Tawfeeq. To stay updated on more CNN news and newsletters, you can sign up at CNN.com.
