The U.S. executed military strikes in Yemen, killing 24 individuals, including civilians. President Trump warned the Iran-aligned Houthis, alleging their time as a threat is over. He urged Iran to cease support for the Houthis and categorized them as a “foreign terrorist organization.” The Houthis have retaliated by condemning the strikes as war crimes amidst ongoing tensions and multiple attacks on maritime vessels.
Recently, the United States executed significant military strikes in Yemen, resulting in the deaths of at least 24 individuals, which include numerous civilians. President Donald Trump has subsequently classified the Houthi group as a “foreign terrorist organization.” He issued a stark warning to the Iran-aligned Houthis, stating that “their time is up.” The president further called upon Iran to cease its support for the Houthis immediately.
In the capital city of Sanaa, reports indicate that at least 13 civilians lost their lives due to these strikes. Additionally, 11 others were killed in the northern province of Saada, a known Houthi stronghold. A resident described the violence, stating, “The explosions were violent and shook the neighborhood like an earthquake. They terrified our women and children.” In light of these events, the Houthis have publicly condemned the strikes as a “war crime,” asserting their readiness to escalate responses if provoked.
President Trump emphasized the threats the Houthis pose to Red Sea shipping lanes and vowed to exert “overwhelming lethal force” to meet U.S. objectives. In a forceful social media message, he 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!” Furthermore, he maintained that Iran must refrain from threatening the United States and its allies.
In response to the U.S. actions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi criticized the United States, claiming it had “no authority, or business, dictating Iranian foreign policy.” He urged the U.S. to end its support for what he termed “Israeli genocide and terrorism” in Yemen. Moreover, this month, the Trump administration expanded its sanctions by classifying the Houthis as a terrorist organization, prohibiting any engagements with them.
The Houthis have emerged as a formidable armed group that has dominated much of Yemen since their rise over the past decade. They have conducted numerous attacks on maritime vessels following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, citing motivations grounded in solidarity with Palestinians. Since the beginning of 2023, reports indicate that the Houthis have targeted U.S. warships and commercial vessels with alarming frequency, totaling 174 and 145 attacks, respectively.
In summary, recent U.S. military actions in Yemen have resulted in considerable casualties, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The Trump administration’s designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organization underscores a severe policy shift. President Trump’s warnings to both the Houthis and Iran reflect rising tensions in the region, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to protecting its interests and allies. The situation remains fraught with instability, leaving prospects for resolution uncertain.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
