 "A ship fires missiles at an undisclosed location, after US President Donald Trump launched military strikes against Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on Saturday over the group's attacks against Red Sea shipping, in this screengrab obtained from a handout video released on March 15, 2025. US Central Command via Reuters")
The United States has launched significant airstrikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, marking the largest military operation in West Asia since US President Donald Trump took office for his second term in January 2025.
The airstrikes come in response to the Houthis’ persistent attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea, a critical global shipping corridor.
The US strikes, carried out over the weekend, targeted multiple Houthi military facilities, including sites in the Yemeni capital Sanaa and the rebel stronghold of Saada.
The Houthi-run health ministry reported that at least 53 people were killed, including five children and two women, with nearly 100 others injured.
Trump has vowed to continue military action until the Houthis cease their attacks . “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 in a social media post announcing the strikes.
How do the Houthis plan to retaliate?
The Houthis have responded to the US strikes with threats of escalation. In a televised speech, their leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi declared, “If they continue their aggression, we will continue the escalation.” He warned that the group would directly target US ships in the Red Sea.
The Houthi military spokesman claimed that their forces launched an attack against the US aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman in response to the airstrikes.
However, a US official told Reuters that American warplanes intercepted and shot down 11 Houthi drones and tracked a missile that splashed into the sea without posing a threat to US warships.
This development represents a serious escalation in the ongoing conflict, with potential implications for international shipping and regional stability. The Houthis have previously launched over 100 attacks on merchant vessels since November 2023, causing significant disruptions to global commerce.
Will Iran strike back?
The US has directly accused Iran of backing the Houthi rebels, supplying them with weapons and intelligence. Trump issued a stark warning to Tehran, saying, “If Iran threatens the United States, America will hold you fully accountable, and we won’t be nice about it!”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, stating, “There’s no way the … Houthis would have the ability to do this kind of thing unless they had support from Iran. And so this was a message to Iran: don’t keep supporting them, because then you will also be responsible for what they are doing in attacking Navy ships and attacking global shipping.”
Iran, however, denies any direct involvement in the Houthi operations. The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, General Hossein Salami, insisted that the Houthis operate independently. “We warn our enemies that Iran will respond decisively and destructively if they carry out their threats,” he told state media.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also urged the US to halt its airstrikes, writing on X (formerly Twitter) that Washington “cannot dictate Iran’s foreign policy.” Iran has repeatedly denied providing military assistance to the Houthis, despite evidence from US intelligence indicating otherwise.
How has the crisis impacted global shipping?
The Red Sea is one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes, with around 12 per cent of global trade passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Houthis claim they are targeting ships linked to Israel and its allies in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
However, many of the vessels they attacked have had no connection to Israel, leading to widespread disruption of global commerce.
Their attacks have led to increased insurance premiums for shipping companies operating in the region, while major global shipping firms have been forced to reroute vessels around Africa, significantly increasing transport costs and delivery times.
Rubio highlighted the economic and strategic importance of stopping Houthi aggression, saying that over the past 18 months, they had attacked US Navy forces 174 times and targeted commercial shipping 145 times using “guided precision anti-ship weaponry.”
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) released images of airstrikes demolishing Houthi targets, stating that the precision attacks were launched to “defend American interests, deter enemies, and restore freedom of navigation.”
How has the international community reacted?
The US operation has drawn mixed reactions from the international community. The United Nations has expressed deep concern about the potential for further escalation.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for “utmost restraint and a cessation of all military activities,” warning that continued hostilities could “fuel cycles of retaliation that may further destabilise Yemen and the region, and pose grave risks to the already dire humanitarian situation in the country.”
Russia has also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke with Rubio, urging the US to seek a political resolution rather than military escalation.
Meanwhile, the Houthis and their allies have labelled the US strikes as “war crimes” and vowed to continue their resistance. The Houthis have maintained control over most of Yemen for the past decade, and their ability to launch attacks on international targets has made them a significant regional actor.
What is US’ strategy in Yemen?
Trump’s decision to launch airstrikes against the Houthis is part of a broader strategy to contain Iranian influence in the region.
In addition to the military campaign, the US has re-designated the Houthis as a “foreign terrorist organisation,” imposing sanctions and legal consequences for entities providing support to the group.
The US military presence in the region has been reinforced, with the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group — including three Navy destroyers and one cruiser — actively engaged in operations. The USS Georgia cruise missile submarine is also deployed in the area.
Trump has said that he is prepared to take further action if necessary. His national security adviser, Mike Waltz, stated, “The strikes actually targeted multiple Houthi leaders and took them out.” However, the administration has not disclosed specific details regarding the individuals targeted.
If the Houthis continue their attacks, the US is likely to respond with further military action. However, there is also the possibility of broader regional escalation, particularly if Iran becomes directly involved.
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With inputs from agencies