U.S. airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthis will continue indefinitely following deadly strikes. Officials view this as a deterrent against threats to shipping. Trump warns of severe consequences if attacks persist. Casualties reported include mostly women and children. The Houthis vow to resume assaults on Israeli vessels, escalating conflict amid Iranian support.
U.S. airstrikes against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen will proceed indefinitely following initial strikes that resulted in 31 fatalities and 100 injuries. These military actions are intended to deter Houthi assaults on vessels in the Red Sea. This is the first military operation by President Trump in the region since assuming office in January.
The Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, emphasized that the U.S. response will remain relentless until the Houthis cease their attacks on shipping. Senior officials pointed out that these strikes represent a new assertive stance against Iran and enhance U.S. military posture in the Middle East.
Michael Waltz, the National Security Adviser, confirmed that the strikes targeted key Houthi leaders, adding that their effectiveness sends a strong message to Iran about the consequences of its aggression. Trump reinforced this sentiment through a post on his Truth Social platform, warning the Houthi militants to halt attacks immediately.
The Houthis claim their actions against international shipping are a show of solidarity with Palestinian groups, including Hamas. They have progressively intensified missile, drone, and rocket assaults against Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Investigations into such attacks, including one missile directed towards Egypt, are currently underway.
In response to U.S. threats, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards asserted that the Houthis operate independently and warned of a decisive response to American military action. Iran condemned U.S. airstrikes, labeling them violations of international law and asserting that the U.S. has no jurisdiction over Iranian foreign policy.
Washington has intensified sanctions on Iran in tandem with military responses, potentially indicating a broader shift in regional policy aimed at countering Iranian influence. The U.S. military’s Central Command described the recent airstrikes as the initiation of a substantial operation in Yemen, supported by military aircraft from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier.
Moreover, the Houthis have reasserted their role as significant actors within Iran’s “axis of resistance” and remain resilient compared to other groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, which have incurred severe losses. Initial casualty reports indicated that most victims were women and children, prompting health officials to label it a war crime.
Local testimonies describe the aftermath of the strikes, highlighting the extensive damage and fear experienced by civilians. Previous U.S. administrations had restricted military involvement regarding the Houthis, aiming instead to weaken their capacity to engage in maritime aggression. Recently, the Houthis announced a resurgence of attacks against Israeli maritime targets, signaling a shift back to hostilities following a ceasefire.
The Pentagon reported that the Houthis have conducted numerous attacks against U.S. and commercial vessels since the beginning of 2023, adding further complexity to the ongoing conflict in the region.
The U.S. government has committed to an extended military operation against the Houthis in Yemen, framing these airstrikes as a necessary deterrent to their threats against international shipping in the Red Sea. With significant casualties reported and a firm response from both the Houthis and Iran, the situation illustrates escalating tensions in the Middle East involving multiple actors and possibly an expanding conflict. Regional observers are closely monitoring further developments, particularly the implications for U.S.-Iran relations and broader Middle Eastern stability.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
