Click to see full-seize image. (U.S. Army)
United States strikes killed “multiple” leaders of the Houthis (Ansar Allah) in Yemen, the White House announced on March 16, adding that Iran was “put on notice” to stop backing the rebel group and its attacks on Red Sea shipping.
The overnight strikes “actually targeted multiple Houthi leaders and took them out,” National Security Advisor Michael Waltz tells ABC News.
“We just hit them with overwhelming force and put Iran on notice that enough is enough,” he said in a separate appearance on Fox News.
The strikes hit Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen upon orders from President Donald Trump, who said that the large-scale attack was a response to the group’s attacks on shipping. At least 31 people were killed, with more than 100 others wounded.
“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!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “Do NOT threaten the American People, their President… or Worldwide shipping lanes. If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable and we won’t be nice about it!”
The U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for the operations of American forces in the Middle East, described the large-scale attack as the start of a large-scale operation targeting the Houthis across Yemen. From their side, the Houthis warned that the deadly strikes “will not pass without response.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also confirmed to CBS that the strikes on Yemen will continue until the Houthis no longer have the capability to strike ships.
The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have attacked Israel and Red Sea shipping throughout the Israeli war on the Hamas Movement in the Gaza Strip.
Nasr el-Din Amer, a spokesperson for the Houthis, told NBC News that most of the casualties from the strikes were women and children. Amer also stressed that the Houthis would continue their operations “until the blockade on Gaza is lifted.”
“We will respond to the recent escalation with further escalation,” he said. “Our response will not be delayed.”
Meanwhile, Hebrew media reported that the Israeli Air Force was on heightened alert for potential missile and drone attacks by the Houthis. The level of alert was already raised by the air force last week, after the Iran-backed group threatened to resume attacks on Israel.
Overnight, a missile was launched from Yemen, which landed in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, according to Hebrew media. The IDF is still investigating if the missile was aimed at Israel.
Overall, the U.S. appears to be determined to neutralize the threat posed by the Houthis. While the group has survived hundreds of American, British and Israeli strikes over the past year, the Trump administration will likely use brute force to deter the group.
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