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US strikes on Yemens Houthis kill 31, warns Iran amid Red Sea tensions

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 16 Mar 2025, 04:41 am

At least 31 people were killed as U.S. President Donald Trump launched military strikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis on Saturday in response to their attacks on Red Sea shipping, warning, “hell will rain down upon you” if they do not halt their campaign, Reuters reported.

Image courtesy::x.com/CENTCOM

Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group launched the attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen.

President Trump declared that Iran-backed Houthis’ “time is up.” He also asked Iran to “immediately” stop supporting the group.

Trump also issued a warning to Iran, the Houthis' key supporter, demanding an immediate end to its backing of the group.

“If Iran threatens the United States, America will hold you fully accountable and, we won't be nice about it!” he said.

Trump vows decisive action against Houthis

"Today, I have ordered the United States Military to launch decisive and powerful Military action against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen," he wrote in a long Truth Social post just before 2:30 p.m. EDT.

He went on to rage, "To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON’T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!"

"They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones," the president wrote of the Houthi rebels, adding: "The Houthi attack on American vessels will not be tolerated. We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective."

The strikes mark the largest U.S. military operation in the Middle East since Trump took office in January, coinciding with Washington’s escalating sanctions on Tehran in an effort to push it into nuclear negotiations.

Casualties in U.S. strikes

Image courtesy: x.com/CENTCOM

Earlier, the Houthi-run health ministry reported that at least nine civilians were killed and nine others injured in U.S. airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.

Residents said the strikes targeted a building in a Houthi stronghold.

Houthi attacks on global shipping

The Houthis have launched more than 100 attacks on shipping since November 2023, claiming they act in solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.

Despite setbacks for Iran’s other regional allies—Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad to rebels in December—the Houthis have remained on the offensive.

They have sunk two vessels, seized another, and killed at least four seafarers, severely disrupting global shipping.

Companies have been forced to reroute through longer, more expensive paths around southern Africa.

Shift in U.S. policy under Trump

The previous administration under President Joe Biden sought to limit the Houthis’ capacity to attack ships but exercised restraint in military responses.

However, U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, say Trump has authorised a more aggressive approach.

Iran’s internal and military challenges

Meanwhile, Iran faces growing domestic unrest due to economic hardships, with officials acknowledging the potential for mass protests.

Last year, Israeli airstrikes on Iranian missile facilities and air defenses, carried out in retaliation for Iranian missile and drone attacks, reportedly weakened Tehran’s conventional military strength.

Iran denies any intention to develop nuclear weapons but has accelerated uranium enrichment to 60% purity—near the 90% threshold required for weapons-grade material.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has warned that such high enrichment levels are unnecessary for civilian programs, with Western nations arguing that no country has done so without ultimately producing nuclear bombs. Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes.

Houthis escalate maritime threats

The U.S. military action appeared to be a direct response to a series of Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden and other key maritime trade routes.

Since late 2023, the Houthis have been targeting both commercial and military ships in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and surrounding waters, stating the attacks are in retaliation for Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

Even after a ceasefire in Gaza, the Houthis recently warned they would resume strikes on ships linked to Israel.

Following the Hamas-led invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, the Houthis have intensified attacks on commercial shipping, including vessels operated by U.S. and U.K. companies.

Trump’s justification for strikes

Trump accused the Houthis of disrupting global trade and directly threatening American interests.

“The Houthis have choked off shipping in one of the most important waterways of the world, grinding vast swaths of global commerce to a halt, and attacking the core principle of freedom of navigation upon which international trade and commerce depends,” Trump wrote.

He further claimed: “It has been over a year since a U.S.-flagged commercial ship safely sailed through the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, or the Gulf of Aden. The last American warship to go through the Red Sea, four months ago, was attacked by the Houthis over a dozen times. Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at U.S. aircraft and targeted our troops and allies. These relentless assaults have cost the U.S. and world economy many BILLIONS of dollars while, at the same time, putting innocent lives at risk.”

Houthis reinstate ban on Israeli ships

Trump’s retaliatory strike came just a day after the Houthis announced they would resume targeting Israeli-linked vessels in the region. The group reinstated a ban on Israeli ships passing through the Red Sea, citing Israel’s blockade of aid shipments to Gaza as justification.

“Any Israeli ship attempting to violate this ban shall be targeted in the declared zone of operations,” the Houthis said, referring to the Arabian Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.

U.S. strikes in response to renewed threats

The renewed Houthi attacks appeared to prompt Trump’s decision to authorise Saturday’s airstrikes.

“Our brave warfighters are right now carrying out aerial attacks on the terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defenses to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore navigational freedom,” he wrote.

He added: “No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World.”