United States launches air strikes on Yemen's rebel-occupied capital over Houthis' Red Sea attacks

U.S. President Trump has launched military strikes against the Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen, triggered by the group's attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Trump warned that "hellfire will rain down" if the Houthis do not cease their actions, signaling a firm stance against the group's disruptive activities.

Trump also warned Iran, the main backer of the Houthi rebels, that it must immediately stop supporting the group. He added that if Iran threatens the United States, "America will hold you fully accountable, and we won't be nice about it!" emphasizing the potential consequences of any aggression towards the U.S.

According to a U.S. official who spoke to Reuters, the U.S. strikes, expected to last for days or even weeks, mark Trump's largest military operation in the Middle East since taking office in January. Simultaneously, the United States is increasing sanctions on Tehran, attempting to bring them back to the negotiating table regarding their nuclear program, indicating a multi-faceted approach to addressing regional tensions.

According to the Houthi-controlled health ministry, the U.S. strikes on Yemen's capital, Sanaa, resulted in the deaths of at least 13 civilians and injuries to 9 others. Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah TV reported that U.S. strikes on the northern Saada province killed six people, including four children and one woman, and injured 11, highlighting the devastating impact on civilian populations.

The Houthi political bureau described the attacks as "war crimes." In a statement, they said: "Our Yemeni armed forces are fully prepared to escalate in response to escalation." Sanaa residents reported that the strikes hit a building inside a Houthi stronghold. "The explosion was very violent, shaking the whole neighborhood like an earthquake. They terrified our women and children," said Abdullah Yahya, a nearby resident, illustrating the fear and disruption caused by the strikes.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched over 100 missiles and drones at international shipping in the Red Sea, claiming it is in solidarity with Palestinians against Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza. Other Iranian allies, such as Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, have been severely weakened since the conflict began. Bashar al-Assad of Syria, once closely aligned with Tehran, was overthrown by rebels in December. But during this period, Yemen's Houthis have remained resilient and on the offensive, sinking two ships, seizing another, and causing the deaths of at least four sailors, disrupting global shipping, forcing companies to reroute vessels around southern Africa, increasing shipping times and costs.

The initial attacks targeted ships with links to Israel or traveling to and from Israel, but recently, ships with connections to U.S. or British, allies of Israel, have also been attacked. Former U.S. President Joe Biden's administration had launched strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen but limited U.S. action to degrading the group's ability to attack ships off the country's coast. U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, said that Trump has authorized more aggressive action, which appeared to be in line with his remarks on Saturday. "Houthi attacks on American ships will not be tolerated. We will use overwhelming deadly force until we achieve our objectives," Trump wrote.

The strikes mark the first attacks on Yemen since a ceasefire agreement in Gaza took effect in January. On Tuesday, the Houthis said they would resume attacks on Israeli ships passing through the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden, ending a period of relative calm since the Gaza ceasefire in January. The U.S. strikes came days after a letter from Trump to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was delivered, seeking negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, showcasing the complex interplay of regional conflicts and diplomatic efforts.

Nevertheless, according to Reuters, four Iranian officials said Tehran is increasingly concerned that growing public anger over economic hardship could spiral into mass protests. According to U.S. officials, last year, Israel carried out strikes on facilities in Iran, including missile factories and air defense systems, in retaliation for Iranian missile and drone attacks, weakening Tehran's conventional military capabilities. Iran denies wanting to develop nuclear weapons. However, it is dramatically stepping up uranium enrichment to a purity of up to 60%, which the U.N. nuclear watchdog has warned would make it easier to reach the roughly 90% enrichment needed for weapons-grade material. Western nations say there is no justification for enriching uranium to such high levels under any civilian program, and no other country has done so without building a nuclear bomb. Iran denies wanting to develop nuclear weapons, saying its nuclear program is peaceful.