U.S. President Trump ordered strikes against Yemen’s Houthis, resulting in at least 31 casualties. This military operation is the largest since he assumed office and follows increasing tensions with Iran. The Houthis condemned the strikes as a “war crime,” while Iran warned of potential consequences for U.S. aggression. The situation raises significant concerns about regional security and U.S.-Iran relations.
On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump initiated significant military actions against Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis, which followed the group’s attacks on Red Sea shipping. The strikes resulted in at least 31 fatalities and were the beginning of a prolonged campaign against the Houthis. Trump issued a warning to Iran, urging it to cease support for the Houthis immediately, emphasizing, “America will hold you fully accountable.”
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander, Hossein Salami, claimed that the Houthis operate autonomously and warned, “Iran will respond decisively and destructively if they take their threats into action.” The military operation represents the largest U.S. military action in the Middle East under Trump’s administration, coinciding with increased sanctions on Tehran aimed at negotiating its nuclear program.
Trump’s rhetoric was aggressive, as he declared, “YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY.” The U.S. strikes affected the Houthi military capabilities and resulted in casualties primarily among women and children, according to Houthi health officials. The group condemned the actions as a “war crime,” asserting their readiness to respond with further escalation.
Local residents described the strikes as violent, with one individual reporting that the explosions felt similar to an earthquake. The U.S. military also targeted Houthi positions in Taiz and a power station in Dahyan, which affected mobility in the region. Since November 2023, Houthis have executed numerous attacks against commercial shipping off Yemen’s coast, intensifying U.S. military investments in naval defense operations.
The Pentagon cited that the Houthis have engaged U.S. vessels 174 times and commercial vessels 145 times in recent months. The Houthis attribute their actions to solidarity with Palestinians amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict. The previous Biden administration had curbed aggressive military strategies against the Houthis, which Trump has now revised.
The strikes were executed partly utilizing fighter aircraft from the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated the U.S. stance against Houthi aggression, stating, “Houthi attacks on American ships & aircraft will not be tolerated.”
Iran’s government condemned the U.S. strikes as violations of international law. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi criticized the U.S. for attempting to dictate Iranian policy, urging an end to violence against Yemeni people. Following the U.S. strikes, the Houthis announced plans to resume attacks on Israeli vessels.
Despite Trump’s overtures for discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Khamenei rebuffed these negotiations, reflecting the volatile relationship between the two nations amidst economic discontent in Iran. Concerns about Iran’s accelerating uranium enrichment practices were also raised, warning they are approaching weapons-grade levels. In a related diplomatic move, Secretary of State Marco Rubio communicated with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to inform him about the military actions in Yemen, clarifying the U.S. stance on the issue.
The recent U.S. military strikes in Yemen against the Houthis mark a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement in the Middle East. With civilian casualties reported and Iran’s support for the Houthis under scrutiny, the situation remains tense as both the U.S. and Iran position themselves amidst ongoing regional conflicts. As military operations continue, the implications for international diplomacy and regional stability are profound, warranting close observation of developments.
Original Source: www.cnbc.com
