Trump Threatens Houthis Amid U.S. Airstrikes in Yemen \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Yemen’s Houthi rebels with “complete annihilation” following intense American airstrikes. The strikes hit multiple rebel-held regions, killing dozens and heightening tensions with Iran. Trump warned Iran to stop supporting the Houthis, amid growing international concern.
Trump Threatens Houthis Amid U.S. Airstrikes Quick Looks
- President Trump threatened Yemen’s Houthi rebels with total annihilation.
- U.S. airstrikes hit rebel-held areas in Sanaa, Saada, and al-Jawf.
- Strikes over the weekend killed at least 53 people, including children.
- Trump declared “tremendous damage” was inflicted on the Houthis.
- He warned Iran to stop supplying the Houthis with weapons.
- Iran denied accusations, calling Trump’s claims “baseless.”
- The Houthis attacked over 100 merchant ships in recent months.
- Two vessels were sunk, and four sailors killed by Houthi attacks.
- Houthis admitted to taking food from a World Food Program warehouse.
- The U.N. suspended operations in Saada after detentions of aid workers.
Deep Look
U.S. President Donald Trump escalated military action and rhetoric against Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Wednesday, threatening their “complete annihilation” as American airstrikes continued to strike key positions across Houthi-controlled territories. This marked one of the most aggressive responses by the U.S. in the region, further intensifying pressure on both the Houthis and their primary backer, Iran.
Houthi-controlled media, including the al-Masirah satellite news channel, reported strikes late Wednesday night targeting several strategic locations. Among the areas hit were Yemen’s rebel-held capital of Sanaa, the northwestern stronghold of Saada, and al-Jawf province. Footage broadcast by the channel showed firefighters battling flames in Sanaa and damage inflicted on what was identified as a sheep farm in al-Jawf, illustrating both the military and civilian impact of the strikes.
While the U.S. military has yet to release a detailed breakdown of its targets, reports indicate the airstrikes are part of a sustained campaign that began over the past weekend. Initial strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 53 people, including women and children, and left dozens more injured, sparking international concern about civilian casualties in the conflict.
Trump, however, remained defiant in his messaging. Posting on his Truth Social platform, he celebrated the damage inflicted on the Houthis, calling them “barbarians.” His post continued with a stark warning: “Watch how it will get progressively worse — It’s not even a fair fight, and never will be. They will be completely annihilated!” The statement leaves little ambiguity about the administration’s intention to continue and potentially escalate military efforts against the Houthis.
In addition to military action, Trump used his platform to renew warnings toward Iran, which the U.S. accuses of supplying weapons, drones, and military equipment to the Houthis in defiance of U.N. sanctions. Trump claimed, without providing specific evidence, that Iran had already begun scaling back its support but insisted that all shipments must cease immediately. “Iran must stop the sending of these Supplies IMMEDIATELY,” he wrote, signaling the potential for diplomatic and possibly military action against Iran if compliance is not observed.
Iran, long accused of arming the Houthis—members of the Shiite Zaydi sect that once ruled Yemen for nearly 1,000 years—has repeatedly denied these allegations. The Iranian state-run IRNA news agency responded to Trump’s comments by citing statements from Iran’s U.N. ambassador, Amir Saeed Iravani, who dismissed the claims as “baseless accusations.” However, a wealth of evidence, including intercepted shipments, physical weaponry with Iranian markings, and expert assessments, continues to link Tehran to ongoing Houthi armament, despite sanctions and international embargoes.
The latest U.S. strikes come against a backdrop of escalating violence at sea. Between November 2023 and January 2024, the Houthis launched more than 100 attacks on commercial vessels passing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, using sophisticated drones and missiles. These attacks resulted in the sinking of two ships and the deaths of four sailors, drawing widespread international condemnation. The maritime aggression significantly elevated the Houthis’ profile across the Arab world, transforming them into perceived defenders of regional sovereignty for some, while temporarily diverting attention from their human rights abuses and harsh crackdowns on dissent and humanitarian efforts.
Adding to the growing list of violations, the Houthi-controlled SABA news agency admitted on Thursday that the group had taken food aid without permission from a World Food Program (WFP) warehouse. Around 20% of the food supplies were seized by the rebels, highlighting their control over humanitarian assistance distribution and raising further concerns about food security in a nation already grappling with famine.
The United Nations has also been directly impacted by the conflict. In February, the U.N. suspended operations in Saada province due to security threats after Houthi forces detained dozens of U.N. staff members and aid workers. The situation became even more dire when one WFP employee died while in Houthi custody, underscoring the extreme dangers faced by humanitarian workers in Houthi-held areas and the rebels’ increasing hostility toward international organizations.
The conflict continues to present significant challenges for global diplomacy. While the Biden administration has attempted to balance military action with diplomatic channels, Trump’s hardline messaging represents a direct and aggressive stance toward both the Houthis and Iran. His calls for annihilation and immediate cessation of Iranian support signal that the U.S. is prepared to expand military operations if provoked further.
Meanwhile, Yemen remains a humanitarian disaster zone. Millions face famine, healthcare systems are near collapse, and critical aid remains blocked or diverted by armed factions. The continuing military escalation, combined with maritime threats and the suppression of humanitarian aid, is expected to worsen the already devastating humanitarian crisis in the region.
International actors, including the United Nations and aid organizations, are calling for restraint and renewed negotiations. However, with tensions high, attacks continuing, and fiery rhetoric from world leaders, the prospects for a peaceful resolution appear increasingly distant. The world watches closely as the situation threatens to spiral into broader regional conflict.
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