Trump Authorizes Airstrikes on Yemen to Suppress Houthi Threats

President Donald Trump announced the initiation of airstrikes against Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Saturday, vowing to employ “overwhelming lethal force” until the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels stop their assaults on key maritime routes. According to the Houthis, 13 civilians have lost their lives in these attacks.

“Our courageous forces are currently conducting aerial attacks targeting the bases, leaders, and missile defenses of the terrorists to safeguard American shipping, aviation, and naval interests, and to re-establish Navigational Freedom,” Trump stated in a social media post. “No terrorist organization will prevent American commercial and naval vessels from navigating the World’s Waterways freely.”

Furthermore, he cautioned Iran against continuing its support for the rebel group, promising to hold it “fully accountable” for its actions via proxy. This comes two weeks after the U.S. President extended an offer to Iranian leaders, proposing a path to resume talks regarding Iran’s progressing nuclear weapons program, which Trump insists must not become operational.

The Houthis have reported detonations within their regions on Saturday evening in Sanaa, as well as in the northern province of Saada, a rebel stronghold near Saudi Arabia’s border. Online footage depicted columns of black smoke within the Sanaa airport complex region, which includes an extensive military area.

The Houthi-run health ministry, through its spokesperson Anees al-Asbahi, confirmed that 13 people were killed and nine others sustained injuries. The statement was shared via social media.

According to a U.S. official, these strikes mark the initiation of airborne assaults on Houthi positions, expected to persist. The official, requesting anonymity, was not permitted to discuss the matter publicly.

Nasruddin Amer, the deputy head of the Houthi media office, declared that the airstrikes will not deter their efforts, vowing retaliation against the U.S. “Sanaa will remain the shield and support for Gaza, and will not relinquish its stance regardless of the obstacles,” he declared on social media.