US President Trump Vows Ongoing Military Strikes Against Houthis in Yemen
US President Donald Trump announced ongoing strikes against Yemen’s Houthis to protect shipping, emphasizing severe consequences for the rebels and Iran. Following airstrikes on March 15, Houthi threats to shipping routes intensified. Trump’s administration faces a scandal involving leaked communications while navigating escalating tensions with Tehran. The commitment to military action remains firm until the danger to maritime routes is eliminated.
United States President Donald Trump affirmed that military strikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels would persist until they cease to pose a threat to shipping, directly warning both the Houthis and their Iranian allies of forthcoming “real pain.” He stated, “The choice for the Houthis is clear: Stop shooting at US ships, and we will stop shooting at you. Otherwise, we have only just begun.”
Following Trump’s declaration, Yemeni rebel outlets reported that two US airstrikes impacted Kamaran Island near Hodeida. These strikes marked the continuation of an offensive initiated on March 15, aimed at safeguarding crucial maritime routes. On the first day of the offensive, US casualties reportedly included numerous rebel leaders, while the Houthis claimed 53 fatalities occurred.
Rebels have indicated a persistent assault on US military vessels and Israel since these operations began. Trump emphasized the severity of the situation by noting that the Houthis had been “decimated” by the relentless strikes, reaffirming, “We hit them every day and night — Harder and harder.”
This latest post from Trump coincides with internal issues within his administration, particularly a scandal arising from an inadvertent leak of a classified messaging chat among senior officials regarding the Yemen strikes. Reports indicated that key figures in the administration were unaware that a journalist was privy to their discussions involving air strike specifics.
The Houthis recently escalated attacks on shipping routes in solidarity with Palestinians amidst the Gaza conflict, significantly impacting passage through the Suez Canal, a critical artery for global shipping trade. Many companies are now rerouting shipments to avoid the escalating violence, which affects an estimated 12 percent of global maritime traffic.
Trump declared that operations would persist until the rebels are no longer deemed a threat to the freedom of navigation. The increasing tensions reflect a broader strategy from the Trump administration, especially with Trump’s recent toughened rhetoric directed at Tehran, outlining potential bombings if a nuclear deal is not reached.
Despite the ongoing scandals, Trump has dismissed calls for the resignation of key officials involved, branding the situation a witch hunt, as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the matter was effectively resolved from the administration’s perspective.
In conclusion, President Donald Trump’s commitment to military action against Yemen’s Houthis reflects ongoing tensions surrounding shipping security and regional stability. His firm stance underscores the administration’s intention to neutralize threats to maritime navigation. Meanwhile, internal challenges, including the classified chat scandal, and rising rhetoric towards Iran mark significant changes within the administration’s foreign policy approach.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
