Houthi militia, who have targeted vessels in the Red Sea for the past two years, said nine civilians were killed
Donald Trump has ordered a series of airstrikes against Yemen targets controlled by Houthi extremists, promising to use “overwhelming lethal force” until Iranian-backed rebels cease their attacks on Red Sea shipping.
The strikes are aimed at destroying “terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defenses,” the US President wrote on his social media site Truth Social, while protecting “American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore Navigational Freedom.”
“No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World.”
Trump also warned Iran to stop supporting the rebel group and warned the country would be held “fully accountable” for the actions of its proxy.
The militant group reported a series of explosions in their territory Saturday evening. Images of the strikes showed plumes of black smoke over the area of the Sanaa airport complex, which includes a sprawling military facility.
The Houthis, who have targeted vessels along a vital maritime corridor for the past two years, said nine civilians were killed. Another nine were wounded following strikes in a “residential neighbourhood”.
“The explosions were very strong,” spokesperson Abdallah al-Alffi said. “It was like an earthquake.”
Smoke rises after Donald Trump ordered a series of airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa (Photo: Mohammed Hamoud/Anadolu via Getty)
The militia group said it would retaliate against the US and would not be deterred after the airstrikes.
Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, said: “Sanaa will remain Gaza’s shield and support and will not abandon it no matter the challenges.”
The airstrikes come days after the Houthis said they would resume attacks on Israeli vessels sailing in waters off Yemen in response to Israel’s blockade on Gaza. There have been no Houthi attacks reported since then.
Israel earlier this month said it had halted all aid coming into Gaza. It also warned of “additional consequences” for Hamas if their fragile ceasefire in the war isn’t extended as negotiations continue over starting a second phase.
The Houthis have targeted over 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two vessels and killing four sailors, since it began targeting military and civilian ships at the start of the war between Israel and Hamas. It had stopped when the ceasefire in Gaza took effect.
The US, Israel and the UK have previously hit Houthi-held areas in Yemen.
Saturday’s operation against the Houthis was conducted solely by the US, a US official told AP. It was the first strike on the Yemen-based Houthis under the second Trump administration following a period of relative quiet in the region.
Houthi supporters hold up their weapons during a protest against Israel’s blockade of aid into the Gaza Strip, in Sanaa, Yemen (Photo: Khaled Abdullah/Reuters)
Joe Biden’s administration launched broad-based and pre-planned missile strikes against the Houthis on multiple occasions in response to frequent attacks by the Houthis against commercial and military vessels in the region.
The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, which includes the carrier, three Navy destroyers and one cruiser, are in the Red Sea and were part of the mission. The USS Georgia cruise missile submarine has also been operating in the region.
Trump announced the strikes as he spent the day at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
“These relentless assaults have cost the US and World Economy many BILLIONS of Dollars while, at the same time, putting innocent lives at risk,” Trump said.
_Additional reporting by AP._