Trump’s Military Action in Yemen Sparks Houthi Retaliation Threats
In a significant escalation of military involvement, President Trump ordered large-scale airstrikes against Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen, reportedly resulting in at least 31 fatalities, including women and children. The strikes, marking the most substantial U.S. military action in the Middle East since Trump’s inauguration, targeted multiple provinces, with notable hits in the capital, Sana, and others such as Saada and al-Bayda.
The Iran-backed Houthi militia condemned the attacks and escalated their rhetoric, promising retaliation. Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a senior Houthi leader, described the strikes as unjustified and vowed an escalatory response. The Houthi-run health ministry claimed that the strikes also left over 100 individuals injured, though these casualty figures remain unverified amid reports of widespread destruction.
Witness accounts detail the terror felt by civilians as windows shattered from the blasts and chaos reigned. Abdul Rahman al-Nuerah, a Sana resident, recounted moments of panic and fear amongst families, notably children. Images and videos circulated on social media showing the devastation left in the wake of the U.S. bombardments.
The U.S. Central Command justified the military action as a defense of American interests and freedoms in navigation. A video released showed precision strikes aimed at Houthi positions, although the specifics of the targeting remain unclear. The strikes also reportedly resulted in significant damage to a power facility, plunging Dahyan into darkness.
Meanwhile, in a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump called for an immediate end to support for the Houthis, warning Iran against any future threats. His administration’s renewed designation of the Houthis as a "foreign terrorist organization" reflects a shift back to a hardline stance on their activities, which have included aggression towards commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
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