President Donald Trump announced a military operation targeting the Houthi rebels in Yemen, declaring that the US would no longer tolerate attacks by the Shiite militia on vessels in the Red Sea.
"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!"
The New York Times reported that the US has launched a wave of airstrikes against dozens of Houthi targets across Yemen. According to the report, President Trump ordered a series of strikes that hit radar systems, air defense systems, missile facilities, and drone launch sites.
Senior administration officials told The New York Times that the strikes in Yemen also serve as a message to Iran, signaling that while President Trump remains interested in an agreement to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, military action remains on the table if Iran obstructs or derails negotiations.
Foreign media reported that fighter jets struck key targets in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital under Houthi control. A senior US official told Al Arabiya English that the strikes in Yemen targeted missile stockpiles, drone systems, and air defense capabilities.
According to reports from Saudi media, five explosions destroyed the headquarters of the Houthi terrorist organization in the Al-Jarraf district of Sanaa. Additional Houthi sites in the capital region were also reportedly hit.
This marks the second US-led coalition strike in Yemen within days. Last week, radar systems were targeted in a building at a naval base near the port of Al-Hudaydah.
In recent days, the Houthis have threatened to attack Israeli vessels in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea, claiming it is a response to restrictions on aid to Gaza. Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi warned that this was merely "the first step."
