Trump Launches Major Airstrikes on Houthis in Yemen: A New Phase of U.S. Military Action
The U.S. escalates its military campaign against the Houthis with powerful airstrikes, aiming to curb their threat to maritime security. Will this strategy succeed, or trigger wider conflict?
Watan-In a Move Aimed at Demonstrating Strength and Deterrence, U.S. President Donald Trump Orders Intense Airstrikes on Houthi Targets in Yemen
Unprecedented Escalation: What Sets These Strikes Apart?
According to U.S. officials, these strikes:
- Are more powerful than those ordered by former President Joe Biden.
- Directly targeted Houthi leadership, unlike the previous strategy that focused on limiting their ability to attack maritime navigation.
- Mark the beginning of a long-term military campaign that could last for weeks.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told Fox News:
“Freedom of navigation is fundamental. Once the Houthis stop their attacks, our strikes will cease. But until then, we will continue our campaign relentlessly.”
The Houthis: A Stubborn Adversary Against Major Powers
Despite immense military pressure, the Houthis have withstood military strikes for over a decade, as they:
- Faced thousands of Saudi-led, U.S.-backed airstrikes over seven years.
- Received continuous military support from Iran, enabling them to launch missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
- Expanded their operations since the outbreak of the Gaza War in 2023, targeting Israeli ships and maritime traffic in the Red Sea, prompting intermittent U.S. and British airstrikes.
Houthi Response: Attacks on U.S. Aircraft Carriers?
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the Houthis immediately responded to the strikes with a 12-hour attack on the aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman in the Red Sea, using:
- Multiple drones, intercepted by U.S. fighter jets.
- A ballistic missile that fell into nearby waters without posing a direct threat.
In a televised speech, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi declared:
“We will respond to the American enemy with missile strikes and by targeting their warships.”
Will These Strikes Change the Equation?
Analysts warn that the U.S. strikes carry a high risk of escalation, as targeting Houthi leadership could lead to:
- A violent backlash, with the Houthis expanding their attacks against international shipping or U.S. military bases in the region.
- Greater complexity in the Yemeni conflict, especially with continued Iranian support despite sanctions.
- Escalation against Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as a means of pressuring Washington.
Iran Steps In: A Direct Warning to the U.S.
Despite Washington’s claims that the strikes are limited to the Houthis, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a stern warning through its commander, Hossein Salami:“Any direct attack on Iran will be met with a harsh and devastating response.”
Where Is the Escalation Headed?
These strikes come at a time when the Houthis face growing pressure, but they have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to adapt and retaliate, raising questions about the effectiveness of this strategy.
Will Trump succeed in weakening the Houthis and stopping their threat to maritime security, or will this campaign lead to a prolonged war, further complicating the Middle East’s already volatile landscape?
