Deadly US airstrikes pound Yemen’s Houthis following Trump’s orders, 19 killed

The United States has carried out a series of attacks on Houthi rebels in Yemen at the directive of former President Donald Trump. The attacks left 19 individuals dead, according to reports by Al Jazeera. The military strike came as a countermeasure against the threats of the Houthis, who had promised to strike Israel-affiliated vessels in the Red Sea. The American attacks have heightened international concern, with Washington attempting to send a strong message against Houthi aggression.

Following the airstrikes, Donald Trump issued a firm threat to the Houthi rebels that "hell is about to break loose" should the group cease its Red Sea attacks. Taking on social media, Trump said, "They have been making constant, relentless attacks on our ships, planes, and drones. We will not stand for such provocations."

Relentless bombing in response to Houthi threats

The escalation followed threats by Houthi rebels to bomb ships affiliated with Israel, protesting Israel's blockade of Gaza. They had initially declared that they were only targeting ships that had any affiliation with Israel. Subsequent reports indicated that they also bombarded ships that did not have any direct Israeli affiliations, and which raised alarm bells over broader security issues in the region.

Airstrikes mark the beginning of ongoing U.S. action

U.S. officials have promised that the aerial bombing campaign is just the beginning, with military forces about to continue in the coming weeks. Even the U.S. Central Command has produced videos of fighter planes taking off from aircraft carriers, indicating the scale of military action.

Iran's role in the conflict

Houthis have been actively backed by Iran for years with enormous scale military aid, such as arms, training, and equipment. This has increased Yemen's political crisis, fueling international tensions. U.S. officials have warned that the attacks conducted by the Houthis not only pose a threat to U.S. naval operations but also substantially jeopardize the security of global shipping.