President Trump initiated extensive military operations against Yemen’s Houthis following their attacks on Red Sea shipping, resulting in significant civilian casualties. The strikes represent a major escalation in US military action in the region and apply pressure on Iran to withdraw its support for the Houthis.
On Saturday, United States President Donald Trump authorized extensive military strikes against the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen, following the group’s recent attacks on vessels in the Red Sea. Initial reports indicate that at least 24 individuals have lost their lives in these operations, which are expected to continue over several days. The strikes signify the most significant US military action in the Middle East during Trump’s presidency, coinciding with heightened sanctions against Iran as negotiations regarding its nuclear program are sought.
In a stern warning directed at Iran, Trump emphasized the need for Tehran to cease its support of the Houthis. He stated, “America will hold you fully accountable and, we won’t be nice about it!” The military operations, described by various officials as likely to extend for weeks, aimed to deliver a decisive message to the Houthis regarding their aggressions that threaten global shipping routes.
As the conflict escalates, reports indicate that at least 31 individuals were killed and over 100 were injured, predominantly women and children, as a result of the strikes—an action decried by the Houthis as a “war crime.” Their political bureau affirmed that the armed forces are prepared to respond forcefully to any further escalation. Eyewitness accounts from Sanaa reported violent explosions that disturbed the local populace, particularly affecting women and children.
Amidst the military actions, the United States also targeted strategic locations, including a power station in Dahyan and military sites in Taiz. The Houthis, who have conducted extensive attacks on maritime traffic since late 2023, have drawn criticism for destabilizing commercial shipping and affecting global trade.
The Pentagon reported an alarming number of assaults by the Houthis on US warships and commercial vessels in the past year, raising concerns over the implications of these strikes for international shipping and relations in the region.
The recent military strikes ordered by President Trump against the Houthis in Yemen mark a significant escalation in US involvement in regional conflicts, responding to threats posed by the Houthis to international shipping. The loss of civilian life and the Houthis’ denunciation of the strikes as war crimes complicate the situation further. As tensions escalate, the US administration emphasizes the need for Iran to cease its support for the Houthis, with potential for extended military operations amid ongoing geopolitical complexities.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
