Trump Initiates Military Strikes on Yemen’s Houthis; Tensions Escalate
President Trump has launched extensive military strikes against Yemen’s Houthis, resulting in at least 31 deaths. This action is a response to Houthi attacks on shipping lanes. Trump has issued severe warnings to Iran regarding its support for the Houthis. The Houthis and Iran have condemned the strikes, indicating potential for further conflict. The U.S. aims to increase pressure on Iran while addressing maritime security issues in the region.
On Saturday, President Donald Trump initiated extensive military strikes targeting the Yemen-based Houthi movement, which is aligned with Iran. This military action was prompted by ongoing Houthi assaults on Red Sea navigation, resulting in at least 31 fatalities. The strikes mark the beginning of a prolonged campaign that is anticipated to last several days.
President Trump issued a stern warning to Iran regarding its support for the Houthis. He proclaimed that if Iran poses a threat to the United States, it would face serious consequences, asserting, “America will hold you fully accountable and, we won’t be nice about it!” This reveals the administration’s intention to take a hard line against Iranian influence in the region.
In response, Commander Hossein Salami from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards stated that the Houthis operate independently and are capable of making their own strategic choices. He cautioned that Iran would respond decisively if the United States proceeded with its threats, underscoring the potential for escalating tensions in the region due to U.S. military actions.
The military strikes, described by U.S. officials as the largest operation in the Middle East since Trump took office, coincide with increased sanctions on Tehran as part of U.S. efforts to compel negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear program. Trump directed a striking message to the Houthis via social media, declaring, “YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY.”
The strikes inflicted considerable casualties, affecting approximately 31 individuals and injuring over 100, including a significant number of women and children, as reported by a spokesperson for the Houthi-run health ministry. The Houthi political bureau condemned the attacks as a “war crime,” asserting they are ready to respond in kind to further escalations.
Witnesses in Sanaa described the strikes as cataclysmic, with explosions likened to an earthquake, invoking fear among local residents. Additional strikes were reported in the southwestern city of Taiz and a power station in Dahyan, which caused widespread disruptions and power outages.
The Houthis have engaged in numerous attacks on vessels off the Yemeni coast since November 2023, which have jeopardized global shipping lanes. A Pentagon spokesman indicated that the Houthis have launched 174 attacks on U.S. warships and 145 on commercial ships throughout 2023 alone. The Houthis claim these actions are in solidarity with Palestinians amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza.
The prior U.S. administration had limited military action against the Houthis, but under Trump’s leadership, a more aggressive stance has been authorized. The U.S. military’s Central Command indicated that the recent strikes are just the beginning of a broader operation against the Houthis through various methods, including aircraft launched from the Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier.
Iran’s foreign ministry denounced the attacks as “a gross violation of the principles of the United Nations Charter and the fundamental rules of international law.” Furthermore, Iranian officials criticized U.S. efforts to dictate Iran’s foreign policy and expressed concerns regarding U.S. military involvement in the region.
In a related move, the Houthis announced a return to their offensive against Israeli vessels after a brief hiatus due to a ceasefire agreement. This increase in hostilities arises as the U.S. continuously attempts to engage Iran in negotiations regarding its nuclear program, although Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected such discussions. Amidst these tensions, U.S. officials have also been communicating with Russian counterparts to maintain transparency regarding military operations in Yemen.
In summary, President Trump’s military strikes against Yemen’s Houthis underscore a heightened U.S. commitment to counter Iranian influence and protect maritime navigation in the Red Sea. The strikes resulted in significant casualties, with both the Houthis and Iran expressing condemnation and promises of retaliatory action. This military operation illustrates the complexities of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, particularly concerning Iran, while jeopardizing prospects for diplomatic negotiations on nuclear issues amidst escalating military engagements.
Original Source: www.cnbc.com
