Trump orders Airstrikes on Houthi-Held areas in Yemen, vows ‘Overwhelming Lethal Force’

The United States launched a series of airstrikes on Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen on Saturday, with President Donald Trump promising to use “overwhelming lethal force” until the Iran-backed rebels cease their attacks on international shipping.

The strikes, which targeted key Houthi military sites in the capital, Sanaa, and other northern provinces, killed at least 31 people, according to the Houthis. Explosions were reported in Sanaa, Saada, Hodeida, Bayda, and Marib, with plumes of black smoke seen rising from military facilities.

In a social media post, Trump said U.S. forces were acting to defend American and allied commercial and naval vessels from Houthi aggression. “No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the waterways of the world,” he stated.

The strikes come just weeks after Trump warned Iran to cease its support for the Houthis, vowing to hold Tehran “fully accountable” for the rebels’ actions. Meanwhile, Houthi officials have pledged retaliation, with media spokesperson Nasruddin Amer stating, “Sanaa will remain Gaza’s shield and support and will not abandon it no matter the challenges.”

A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the strikes were the beginning of an extended military operation targeting Houthi positions. The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group played a key role in the operation, with warplanes launching from the Red Sea.

The airstrikes mark the first direct U.S. military action against the Houthis under Trump’s second administration. The Houthis have previously targeted over 100 merchant vessels since late 2023, sinking two ships and killing four sailors. The attacks have disrupted global trade and escalated tensions in the already volatile Red Sea region.

The full extent of the damage and casualties from the latest strikes remains unclear, but reports from Yemen indicate that residential areas near military facilities were hit. The situation continues to develop as the Houthis vow to respond.