By Phil Stewart, Mohammed Ghobari, and Gabriella Borter
WASHINGTON/ADEN, Yemen (Reuters) – The United States has declared its intention to continue targeting Yemen’s Houthis until they cease their attacks on shipping routes, stated the U.S. defense secretary on Sunday. This comes as the Iran-aligned group hinted at the possibility of escalating its actions in response to recent deadly U.S. strikes.
The airstrikes, which resulted in at least 31 fatalities according to the Houthi-controlled health ministry, mark the largest U.S. military operation in the Middle East since President Donald Trump assumed office in January. A U.S. official informed Reuters that the campaign could extend for several weeks.
In response, the Houthi movement’s political bureau condemned the strikes as a “war crime” and declared their readiness to escalate in retaliation. Moscow has urged Washington to halt the military operations.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking to Fox News, emphasized that the U.S. will maintain relentless pressure on the Houthis until they agree to halt their attacks on American assets. He underscored the importance of securing freedom of navigation in vital waterways and criticized Iran for its prolonged backing of the Houthis.
The conflict escalated further when the Houthis, who have gained control over much of Yemen in recent years, threatened to resume attacks on Israeli ships passing through the Red Sea unless aid restrictions on Gaza were lifted. The Houthis had previously launched multiple attacks on shipping during Israel’s conflict with Hamas, citing solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.
President Trump directly addressed Iran, the primary supporter of the Houthis, warning them to cease their support for the group. He cautioned that any Iranian threats against the U.S. would be met with severe repercussions.
Iran’s top Revolutionary Guards commander, Hossein Salami, responded by affirming the Houthis’ autonomy in decision-making and issued a warning against potential aggressors. He stated that Iran would retaliate decisively if threats materialize.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted Iran’s role in supporting the Houthis, holding Tehran accountable for the group’s actions against naval vessels and global shipping routes. He emphasized the need for Iran to discontinue its backing of the Houthis.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged a halt to the use of force and called for a return to diplomatic dialogue among all parties involved. Meanwhile, Trump has been pushing for Russian cooperation in negotiations over Ukraine and Iran, alongside increasing sanctions pressure on Tehran.
The recent U.S. strikes resulted in the deaths of mostly women and children, with over 100 individuals sustaining injuries, as reported by Anees al-Asbahi, spokesperson for the Houthi-led health ministry. Witnesses in Sanaa described the airstrikes targeting a neighborhood known to house prominent Houthi figures, causing panic among residents.
“The explosions were intense, resembling an earthquake, and instilled fear among women and children,” recounted one Sanaa resident identified as Abdullah Yah
A bulldozer was utilized to clear debris at a site, while individuals sifted through the rubble by hand. At a hospital, medical personnel attended to the wounded, including children, with several casualties laid out in a yard, covered in plastic sheets as shown in Reuters footage. Witnesses reported strikes on Houthi military targets in Taiz city. The Houthis’ attacks on the Red Sea have disrupted global trade routes. Another strike on a power station in Dahyan resulted in a power outage, as reported by Al-Masirah TV. Dahyan is a meeting place for Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthis. The attacks by the Houthis have necessitated costly interception efforts by the U.S. military. Although the group paused its activities during a ceasefire in Gaza, they maintained a threat to target Israeli ships for aid delivery approval. Previous U.S. administrations had sought to limit the Houthis’ capabilities, with a more aggressive approach authorized by Trump. The recent strikes in Yemen mark the beginning of a large-scale operation, involving fighter aircraft from the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea. Iran criticized the strikes as a violation of international law, asserting that the U.S. has no authority over Iranian foreign policy.
