US Launches Intense Attacks Against Houthi Rebels, Drawing Retaliation

Houthi rebels say US airstrikes in Yemen killed 53 people, five children, over the weekend as President Trump vows continued military operations until Iran-backed Houthi rebels cease their attacks on Red Sea shipping.

Quick Takes

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed 18 missile launches and a drone strike at the USS Harry Truman carrier group in retaliation for US strikes.
The Houthi-controlled health ministry said US strikes killed 53 people, including several children, over the weekend and wounded 98 others.
President Trump has promised “overwhelming lethal force” until the Houthis stop attacking merchant vessels in the Red Sea.
The Houthis have targeted over 100 merchant vessels since November 2023, claiming solidarity with Palestinians.
Iran has condemned the US strikes while denying direct control over Houthi operations.

US Launches Major Military Campaign Against Houthi Rebels

The United States has initiated a significant campaign of airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, which Houthi rebels said caused at least 53 reported casualties, including women and children. The strikes, authorized by President Donald Trump, targeted multiple locations across Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen. The US Central Command confirmed a “large scale operation” against multiple Houthi targets, describing the actions as necessary to protect international shipping lanes that have faced repeated attacks from the rebel group in recent months.

Trump made the administration’s position clear when announcing the military action: “We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective.” The president further warned the Houthis of further attacks if the attacks on maritime shipping continue. Houthi rebels haven’t confirmed it, but the US said multiple Houthi leaders were targeted and killed in the attacks.

Houthis Vow Continued Resistance Despite US Attacks

Following the US strikes, Houthi leadership claimed to have launched retaliatory attacks against American naval forces. The group reported launching 18 missiles and a drone at the USS Harry Truman aircraft carrier group in the Red Sea. While US officials have not confirmed direct hits on American vessels, they have reported shooting down multiple Houthi drones. The rebel group has explicitly stated their intention to continue targeting vessels connected to the United States and its allies.

The Houthis have maintained that their maritime campaign is an act of solidarity with Palestinians and will continue until Israel lifts its blockade of Gaza. Since November 2023, they have targeted numerous merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, managing to sink two ships and seize another. These actions have forced many shipping companies to reroute vessels around Africa, significantly increasing costs and delivery times for global trade.

Iran’s Role and International Response

Iran’s connection to the Houthi rebels remains a central concern for American policymakers. Despite Tehran’s official denials, intelligence sources have consistently identified Iran as the primary arms supplier to the Yemeni rebel group. The Houthis are considered part of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” along with groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.

“We’re doing the entire world a favor by getting rid of these guys and their ability to strike global shipping. That’s the mission here, and it will continue until that’s carried out,” stated U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on CBS News’s Face the Nation.

The United Nations has urged both sides to exercise restraint amid fears of wider regional escalation. Yemen has already suffered through years of civil war that has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz emphasized the targeted nature of the US operation, stating, “We just hit them with overwhelming force and put Iran on notice that enough is enough.”

Humanitarian Impact and Future Prospects

The strikes have intensified concerns about civilian casualties in Yemen, a country already devastated by years of conflict. Residents of Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, described the intensity of the American bombardment. “I’ve been living in Sanaa for 10 years, hearing shelling throughout the war. By God, I’ve never experienced anything like this before,” said one resident identified only as Ahmed, highlighting the severity of the American military response compared to previous conflicts in the region.

While the US maintains its operations are necessary to protect international shipping, the path forward remains unclear. The Houthis have shown remarkable resilience throughout Yemen’s civil war, and their leadership has remained defiant in the face of American military power. The Trump administration appears committed to continuing strikes until the group abandons its maritime campaign, potentially setting the stage for an extended conflict. Meanwhile, shipping companies and international traders watch anxiously for signs that the vital Red Sea trade route might return to normal operations.