•U.S. Military Targets Houthis Following Red Sea Attacks
The United States launched large-scale airstrikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Saturday, marking the most extensive U.S. military operation in the Middle East since President Donald Trump returned to office in January.
The strikes, aimed at crippling Houthi military capabilities, were ordered in response to the group’s persistent attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, which have disrupted global trade.
At least 31 people were killed and more than 100 injured in the opening wave of strikes, according to local reports. Among the dead include women and children.
A U.S. official, speaking to Reuters, suggested the military operation could extend for weeks, indicating a sustained campaign against the Houthis.
The attacks primarily targeted Houthi-controlled areas, including military installations and key infrastructure.
However, Yemeni officials and humanitarian groups reported that a residential neighborhood in the capital, Sanaa, was also hit.
Trump Issues Warning to Iran
Following the airstrikes, President Trump issued a stern warning to Iran, the Houthis’ primary backer, demanding that it halt support for the group immediately.
“If Iran threatens the United States, America will hold you fully accountable—and we won’t be nice about it!” Trump declared.
The military action comes as the U.S. intensifies economic and diplomatic pressure on Tehran, aiming to curb its influence in the region and push it into negotiations over its nuclear program.
Hamas, Regional Actors Condemn Strikes
The U.S. air campaign has drawn sharp condemnation from regional actors, including Hamas, which described the attacks as a “flagrant violation of international law” and an assault on Yemen’s “sovereignty and stability.”
The Palestinian militant group expressed solidarity with the Yemeni people, acknowledging their support for Palestinians in Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
Houthi officials also denounced the strikes, vowing retaliation against American and allied forces in the region.
The group has threatened further escalation in the Red Sea, where its attacks on international shipping have already forced rerouting of major trade vessels.
Strategic and Political Implications
Former U.S. diplomat Nabeel Khoury warned that the strikes might not achieve their intended goal of eliminating the Houthi threat.
“There is no military logic to what’s happening, and there is no political logic either,” Khoury told Al Jazeera.
He argued that given the Houthis’ deep entrenchment in Yemen and their significant support base, it would be “virtually impossible” to eradicate them through airstrikes alone.
The escalation raises concerns over broader regional instability. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have been engaged in a years-long conflict with a Saudi-led coalition, which has received U.S. military support.
With Washington now directly involved in military action, analysts fear an expanded confrontation with Iran and its allied groups across the Middle East.
What’s Next?
The Trump administration has not yet outlined a clear exit strategy or long-term objectives for the campaign.
While the strikes aim to weaken the Houthis’ military capabilities, the risk of further retaliation—including potential attacks on U.S. bases and allied assets in the region—remains high.
As tensions escalate, global leaders are calling for diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider regional conflict.
However, with the U.S. and Iran locked in an increasingly hostile standoff, the prospect of de-escalation remains uncertain.
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