The conflict between the United States and Yemen’s Houthi rebels has intensified after the Houthis launched 18 ballistic and cruise missiles, along with drones, targeting the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea. The attack occurred just one day after US President Donald Trump ordered multiple airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. As tensions rise along one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes, both sides have warned of further escalation.
US Warns of Continued Military Action Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree stated that the missile and drone attack was in retaliation for 47 US-led airstrikes on Yemen. The airstrikes targeted key Houthi strongholds, including the capital Sanaa and the northern Saada province near the Saudi Arabian border.
“The Yemeni Armed Forces will continue to strike all US warships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea,” Saree declared, making it clear that the Houthis are prepared to escalate their military response.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed any suggestion of withdrawing from the region. He affirmed that operations would continue until the Houthis are stripped of their offensive capabilities. “These strikes will not be like Biden’s one-off attacks. We won’t let them decide which ships can pass through,” Rubio stated.
Rising Civilian Toll and Iran’s Response The Houthi-run Health Ministry reported that the US airstrikes killed at least 53 people, including women and children, and wounded over 100. This operation is one of the most extensive US-led campaigns against the Houthis since the Gaza war began in October 2023.
President Trump has vowed to continue using “overwhelming lethal force” until the Iran-backed Houthi group halts attacks on crucial maritime routes. Despite US accusations, Iran has denied involvement in the conflict. General Hossein Salami, leader of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, stated that Tehran does not control or dictate the Houthi military’s actions.
Growing Regional Tensions The escalation between the US and the Houthis adds further instability to a region already struggling with conflict and economic hardship. Experts fear that prolonged military actions could disrupt global trade through the Red Sea and increase civilian suffering in Yemen.
The situation remains tense, with both sides unwilling to back down. As the conflict continues, the international community watches closely, concerned about the broader implications of this violent escalation.