The United States launched large-scale military strikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement on Saturday, marking the largest US military operation in the Middle East since President Donald Trump took office in January. At least 31 people were killed and more than 100 injured, most of them women and children, according to Yemen’s Houthi-run health ministry.
The strikes, conducted by aircraft launched from the Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, were ordered by President Trump in response to repeated attacks by the Houthis on international shipping in the strategically vital Red Sea, where missile and drone attacks have disrupted global trade routes.
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In an aggressive social media post, Trump warned the Houthis that further attacks would result in overwhelming force: “The Houthi attack on American vessels will not be tolerated. We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective.” He described potential future action against the Houthis as unprecedentedly severe.
Houthi health ministry spokesperson Anees al-Asbahi reported at least 31 killed and over 100 wounded, primarily women and children. Local residents described explosions as violent and terrifying, shaking residential neighborhoods.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed Trump’s tough stance, tweeting that the strikes were essential to restoring freedom of navigation and putting Iran “on notice” for its support of the Houthis. Iran did not immediately respond officially but has consistently denied involvement in the shipping attacks or seeking nuclear weapons, despite mounting international concern about its rapidly accelerating uranium enrichment.
The US strikes also come after failed diplomatic efforts to bring Tehran back into nuclear negotiations. Trump’s administration previously proposed renewed nuclear talks, but Tehran rejected the overture, refusing dialogue under threats.