US targets Houthi strongholds in Yemen, citing threats to Red Sea shipping; Houthis warn of escalation in response.
March 16, 2025: The United States launched its first military strikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels under President Donald Trump, killing at least 21 people, according to the Houthis. The strikes, carried out by US Central Command (CENTCOM), targeted key locations in Sanaa and Saada, with reports of civilian casualties, including children.
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A Houthi-controlled news agency claimed that nine civilians were killed and several others injured in Sanaa, while at least 12 were killed in Saada due to additional strikes. The rebels condemned the attacks as "US-British aggression", accusing Washington of "criminal brutality."
US Justifies Strikes, Houthis Vow Retaliation
CENTCOM stated that the "precision strikes" aimed to "defend American interests, deter enemies, and restore freedom of navigation" in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which have seen multiple Houthi drone and missile attacks on international shipping.
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Trump, in a strongly worded social media post, warned that the US would continue using "overwhelming lethal force" until its objectives were achieved.
The Houthis, in response, declared that the attacks "will not pass without response."
"Our Yemeni armed forces are fully prepared to confront escalation with escalation," said a Houthi spokesperson on Al-Masirah TV.
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The US has also issued a direct warning to Iran, demanding that it "immediately" cease its support for the Houthis. The rebel group is part of the "Axis of Resistance," a coalition of pro-Iran groups opposing Israel and the US.
Regional Impact & International Reactions
The Houthis have significantly disrupted global trade by attacking vessels in the Red Sea, a critical waterway that handles 12% of global shipping traffic. Many companies have been forced to reroute ships around Africa, increasing costs and delivery times.
The US has repeatedly struck Houthi targets in recent months, often with British support. The Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned the US action, calling it "a stark violation of international law."
Trump, however, remained firm in his stance, stating:
"To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP! If the attacks don’t stop, hell will rain down upon you like nothing you have ever seen before!"
Earlier this month, the US reclassified the Houthis as a "foreign terrorist organization", blocking any American dealings with the group.
Since 2023, the Houthis have attacked US warships 174 times and commercial vessels 145 times, according to the Pentagon.
The Yemen conflict, which began in 2014, saw the Houthis seize Sanaa before a Saudi-led coalition intervened. While a 2022 ceasefire de-escalated the war, the peace process remains stalled due to ongoing Houthi aggression in the Red Sea and attacks linked to Israel.
Tags:
US strikes Yemen, Houthi rebels, Red Sea attacks, Yemen conflict, Donald Trump, CENTCOM, Iran-backed militias, Middle East crisis, international shipping, war in Yemen, Hamas, Pentagon
Last Updated on March 16, 2025 by Misha Bhatia
