US Launches New Strikes Against Yemen’s Houthi Rebels

The US conducted airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels over the weekend, which led to retaliation after the Houthis said the strikes killed 53 people, including multiple children.

Key Insights

US President Donald Trump launched airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, vowing to continue until they stop attacking Red Sea shipping.
Houthis reported launching 18 missiles and a drone at the USS Harry Truman and accompanying warships in retaliation.
The US strikes killed 53 people, including women and children, and wounded 98 others, according to the Houthi health ministry.
The strikes also reportedly killed multiple US targets.
The Houthis have attacked over 100 merchant vessels since November 2023, claiming solidarity with Palestinians.
Despite international calls for de-escalation, both sides have vowed to continue military operations.

US Launches “Overwhelming” Force Against Houthi Rebels

The United States has initiated a major military campaign against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, with President Donald Trump authorizing strikes over the weekend that the Houthi health ministry said killed at least 53 people, including several children. The operation, described by US Central Command as “large scale,” targeted Houthi military capabilities in response to months of attacks on international shipping lanes in the Red Sea. Trump’s administration has framed the operation as necessary to protect global commerce and send a strong message to Iran, which supports the Yemeni rebels. Multiple US targets were reportedly killed in the attacks, although the Houthis have not confirmed this.

US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz confirmed that American forces specifically targeted Houthi leadership and military infrastructure. “We just hit them with overwhelming force and put Iran on notice that enough is enough,” Waltz stated. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced this position, declaring that the mission would continue until the threat to global shipping was eliminated. The airstrikes represent a significant development in American military involvement in the region under Trump’s leadership.

What to know about Yemen’s Houthi rebels as the US steps up attacks on Iran-backed group https://t.co/SIkUGcvmAJ

— Daily Press (@Daily_Press) March 17, 2025

Houthis Claim Retaliation Against US Naval Forces

Following the US strikes, the Houthi rebels said they launched retaliatory attacks against American naval forces. According to Houthi statements, they fired 18 missiles and deployed a drone against the USS Harry Truman carrier group operating in the Red Sea. While US officials have acknowledged shooting down several Houthi drones, they have not confirmed any successful strikes against American vessels.

The Houthi leadership has vowed to continue targeting American and allied vessels until Israel ends its military operations in Gaza. Since November 2023, the rebel group has attacked more than 100 merchant vessels traversing the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, successfully sinking two ships and seizing another. These attacks have severely disrupted international shipping, forcing many companies to reroute vessels around Africa at significant economic cost.

Humanitarian Impact and International Reactions

The US airstrikes have intensified concerns about Yemen’s already dire humanitarian situation. According to Houthi-controlled health authorities, 98 people were wounded in addition to the 53 reported deaths. Local residents described the intensity of the bombardment. “I’ve been living in Sanaa for 10 years, hearing shelling throughout the war. By God, I’ve never experienced anything like this before,” said a Yemeni resident named Ahmed.

Iran has strongly condemned the American military action, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticizing US policy and calling for an end to support for Israel. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s commander, Gen. Hossein Salami, asserted that Yemen’s actions were independent of Tehran’s control, stating: “We have always declared — and we declare again today — that the Yemenis are an independent and free nation in their own land, with an independent national policy.” Meanwhile, the United Nations has urged both sides to cease military activities to prevent further regional escalation.

Trump’s Stance and Future Operations

President Trump has adopted an uncompromising position toward the Houthi rebels, threatening continued military action until they cease their attacks on international shipping. “We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective,” Trump declared.

US Central Command has confirmed that operations against Houthi targets are ongoing, with additional strikes reported in Al Jaouf and Hudaydah provinces. Defense officials maintain that the campaign is specifically focused on restoring freedom of navigation in vital waterways.