President Donald Trump announced on Saturday the launch of a military operation targeting the Houthi rebels in Yemen, stating that the United States would not tolerate continued attacks by the Shiite militia on vessels in the Red Sea. Following the American strike, Israeli security officials are preparing for the possibility that the Houthis could resume launching attacks on Israel in the immediate future.
While Israel is not a participant in the US attack against the Houthis, it was informed of the operation beforehand, in part based on the assumption that the Houthis might attempt to respond with missile fire toward Israeli territory.
Video: US fighter jets taking off for a strike in Yemen. Video: US Central Command
The IDF has not confirmed whether the missile that landed several hundred kilometers from Israel was intended to strike Israel, but officials suggest it may have been aimed at a different target. Furthermore, at no point did the missile pose a threat to Israeli territory.
"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. 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 US aircraft, and targeted our Troops and Allies. These relentless assaults have cost the US and World Economy many BILLIONS of Dollars while, at the same time, putting innocent lives at risk." Trump wrote in a statement.
Trump delivered a stern message to the Shiite rebels, stating, "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!"
The president also addressed Iran, saying, "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!"
