The United States military has escalated its operations against the Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, with recent airstrikes leaving at least 53 people dead and injuring around 100 others, according to the Houthi-run Health Ministry.
A video released by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on X showcased military aircraft taking off as part of the ongoing offensive. Sharing the footage, CENTCOM stated, "CENTCOM forces continue operations against Iran-backed Houthi terrorists."
The airstrikes have primarily targeted Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, along with Saada province, the stronghold of the rebels near the Saudi Arabian border. The Houthis’ political bureau has vowed to retaliate, stating they will "meet escalation with escalation."
On March 15, US President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered the military to carry out "decisive and powerful military action" against the Houthi insurgents, citing continued attacks on American interests.
He attributed the growing threat to what he described as a "weak" response from his predecessor, Joe Biden.
"Today, I have ordered the United States Military to launch decisive and powerful Military action against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen. They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones," Trump stated on Truth Social.
Emphasising the necessity of the strikes, he added, "Joe Biden's response was pathetically weak, so the unrestrained Houthis just kept going. It has been over a year since a U.S.-flagged commercial ship safely sailed through the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, or the Gulf of Aden. The last American Warship to go through the Red Sea, four months ago, was attacked by the Houthis over a dozen times. Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at U.S. aircraft, and targeted our Troops and Allies. These relentless assaults have cost the U.S. and World Economy many BILLIONS of Dollars while, at the same time, putting innocent lives at risk."
Also read: Trump orders deadly airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthis, 24 killed
Trump reiterated that attacks on US vessels would not be tolerated and vowed to deploy "overwhelming lethal force" until American objectives were met. "The Houthi attack on American vessels will not be tolerated. We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective. The Houthis have choked off shipping in one of the most important Waterways of the World, grinding vast swaths of Global Commerce to a halt, and attacking the core principle of Freedom of Navigation upon which International Trade and Commerce depends."
He stated that ongoing airstrikes were targeting the rebels’ bases, leaders, and missile defences to safeguard American interests and restore safe passage in international waters. "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. No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World."
Warning the Houthis to cease their hostilities, Trump declared, "To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON'T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE."
He also directed a warning towards Iran, demanding an immediate end to its support for the Houthis. "To Iran: Support for the Houthi terrorists must end IMMEDIATELY! Do NOT threaten the American People, their President, who has received one of the largest mandates in Presidential History, or Worldwide shipping lanes. If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable and, we won't be nice about it."
The ongoing crisis stems from the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, following which the Houthis launched a series of attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, severely disrupting global trade.
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