US launches major offensive against Houthis in Yemen, rebels say strikes kill 31

Escalation of US military action

Trump vowed to deploy “overwhelming lethal force” to safeguard global shipping, reported AP.

“Our brave Warfighters are right now carrying out aerial attacks on the terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defenses to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore Navigational Freedom,” Trump posted on social media. “No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World.”

He also warned Iran against supporting the Houthis, stating that Tehran would be held “fully accountable” for the group’s actions, as per AP.

The operation marks one of the most significant actions of Trump’s second term and signals a renewed push to counter Iranian influence in the region, following multiple failed attempts by previous administrations to curb Houthi aggression.

The strikes are a direct response to escalating tensions in the region, particularly after Houthi forces fired a surface-to-air missile at a US Air Force F-16 jet and claimed responsibility for downing an MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Red Sea.

US officials said the goal of the campaign is to restore safe passage through one of the world’s most vital maritime trade routes, which has been heavily impacted by Houthi attacks over the past year. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have used missiles, drones, and explosive-laden boats to target both merchant vessels and military ships.

The Trump administration’s offensive comes after months of high-level discussions, culminating in President Trump’s decision to greenlight the strikes. Senior officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, met with Trump to outline the operation, which was executed by fighter jets from the USS Harry S Truman and other aircraft stationed in the region.

This image taken from video provided by the US Navy shows an aircraft launching from the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea before airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen. (Photo: AP)

The operation is part of a broader US strategy aimed at countering Iranian influence in the Middle East, with Iran supplying arms and technological support to the Houthi rebels. This offensive is also seen as a signal to Tehran as President Trump seeks to pressure Iran into negotiations over its nuclear program, while keeping military options on the table should talks fail.

Houthis vow retaliation

Despite the airstrikes, Houthi leaders remained defiant. Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the group’s media office, insisted they would retaliate. “Sanaa will remain Gaza’s shield and support and will not abandon it no matter the challenges,” he wrote on social media.

Another spokesperson, Mohamed Abdulsalam, dismissed Trump’s claims that the Houthis threatened international shipping routes as “false and misleading.”

The airstrikes follow the Houthis’ recent declaration that they would resume attacks on Israeli vessels in retaliation for Israel’s continued blockade on Gaza. The rebels had warned that their operations would target ships in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Arabian Sea. However, no such attacks have been reported in recent days.

The Houthis have used underground facilities to manufacture and store weapons, complicating efforts to eliminate their arsenal through airstrikes. Intelligence agencies have struggled to track the full scope of the rebels’ operations, which are bolstered by smuggled weapons from Iran.

In recent weeks, the Houthis had largely halted their attacks following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza earlier this year. However, the group has continued to threaten military action if the US or its allies intervene directly in Yemen. In January, the Houthis reiterated their commitment to the Palestinian cause and vowed to resume attacks if Israel or Western powers interfere in the region.

Under former US President Joe Biden, the US military conducted several joint operations with British forces in an attempt to secure shipping routes in the Red Sea, but those efforts ultimately failed to establish long-term deterrence. The current offensive, conducted unilaterally by US forces, represents a shift in tactics as the Trump administration seeks to deliver a decisive blow to the Houthis’ military infrastructure.

Since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in late 2023, the Houthis have launched over 100 missile and drone attacks on merchant vessels, sinking two ships and killing four sailors. These strikes heightened their international profile while Yemen remained locked in a decade-long conflict.

(With inputs from Agencies and New York Times)