Smoke billows from a site reportedly hit by U.S. airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, on Saturday. According to Osamah Abdulrahman/AP, numerous casualties have been reported following a military action initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump against Houthi rebels in Yemen. This move is part of an effort to combat the Iran-backed group that has been disrupting shipping routes in the Red Sea.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump declared that the U.S. would employ overwhelming force against the Houthis until their objectives were achieved. This announcement marked the beginning of a significant military operation expected to last for weeks, prompting the Houthis to warn of potential escalation.
The airstrikes conducted by the U.S. resulted in the deaths of at least 31 individuals and injuries to 101 others, mainly women and children, as reported by the Houthi-controlled health ministry in Yemen. The Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran and based in Yemen, had been carrying out drone and missile attacks on vessels in the Red Sea since late 2023, citing retaliation for events in Gaza.
Following a ceasefire in Gaza, the Houthis temporarily halted their assaults but threatened to resume due to aid blockades to Gaza. Trump accused the group of engaging in acts of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American and other international interests. He emphasized the need to protect American assets and ensure freedom of navigation in global waterways.
Future actions against the Houthis will be contingent on assessments of the impact of the recent strikes. Trump also issued a warning to Iran, demanding an immediate cessation of support to the Houthis. In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister criticized the U.S.’ interference in Iranian foreign policy and urged an end to Israeli aggression and violence in Yemen.
The airstrikes in Yemen led to casualties in Sanaa and Saada, with reports of strikes on a power station in Dahyan and military sites in Taiz. The Houthi political bureau condemned the U.S. strikes as a war crime and vowed to respond with force if necessary.
Trump greenlit the strike plan against the Houthis, which had been in development for weeks, culminating in a sustained offensive against the group’s positions in Yemen. The operation required thorough intelligence gathering and planning to execute a comprehensive campaign of strikes.
The Houthis have been the subject of recent military discussions and actions. A senior military official informed CNN that the necessary intelligence for broader strikes has been gathered. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov about these strikes, emphasizing that Houthi attacks will not be accepted. Russia, which had considered arming the Houthis previously, halted such plans due to pressure from the US and Saudi Arabia. Lavrov has called for an immediate halt to the use of force in Yemen. The US has been working to disrupt Houthi activities, particularly their attacks on international shipping routes in the Red Sea, in response to Hamas in Gaza. The Biden administration has conducted targeted strikes on Houthi positions, including underground weapons storage facilities, aiming to deter further attacks. President Donald Trump had designated the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization and criticized the Biden administration’s response as weak. CNN contributors have provided updates on this evolving situation. To stay updated on CNN news and newsletters, sign up at CNN.com.
