Following Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, the U.S. conducted military strikes in Yemen targeting Houthi rebels, resulting in significant casualties. The Houthis vowed retaliation, linking their planned attacks on commercial vessels to their support for Palestine. The strikes have disrupted maritime traffic, prompting the U.S. to strengthen its naval presence in the region. Iran condemned the U.S. actions, criticizing the loss of civilian lives and calling for an end to violence against Yemenis.
American Military Action in Yemen
Following Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, the United States has initiated its first military strikes in Yemen. On Saturday, March 15, Trump declared that the U.S. had executed “a decisive and powerful military action” targeting the Houthis. Preliminary information from the Houthi Health Ministry reports at least 31 fatalities and 101 injuries, with a significant number being women and children. The strikes were reported to have hit the capital, Sanaa, along with the governorates of Saada and Al-Bayda, as well as the city of Radaa.
Responses and Reactions from the Houthis
The Houthi rebels have warned that this act of aggression will not go without a response. Their media outlet, Al-Massirah, reported that an “American-British attack” struck the Shououb district in northern Sanaa and the Houthi stronghold of Saada. Although London has not confirmed the strikes, the rebels have asserted their readiness to respond to escalation with counter-escalation. They indicated that their armed forces are prepared to take action if necessary.
The recent strikes followed the Houthis’ announcement on March 11 regarding their plan to renew attacks on commercial vessels off the coast of Yemen. They claim these vessels are associated with Israel, and their decision to engage in these actions stems from Israel’s refusal to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, which has suffered from prolonged conflict. The Houthis profess solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
These attacks have significantly disrupted maritime traffic in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, vital areas for global trade. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell noted that since the beginning of 2023, the Houthis have targeted American warships and commercial vessels numerous times, prompting the U.S. to form a multinational naval coalition for protection and to strike back against the rebels, sometimes in collaboration with the U.K. Trump has issued stern warnings to the Houthis, asserting that their attacks must cease immediately and that the U.S. will respond with overwhelming force to achieve its objectives. He also cautioned Iran against threatening American interests or global shipping routes, emphasizing that the U.S. would hold them accountable.
In reaction, Iranian officials condemned the U.S. strikes as barbaric, expressing concern over the loss of innocent lives, including women and children in Yemen. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the U.S. government’s stance on Iran’s foreign policy, calling for an end to the violence against the Yemeni population.