Trump orders airstrikes on Yemen targeting Houthi bases and leaders

• President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on Yemen on Saturday. The administration said the attacks targeted terrorist bases, leaders and missile defenses to protect American shipping and navigational freedom.
• Trump warned Iran to cease support for Houthi militants, emphasizing accountability for threats to American interests and shipping lanes.
• Houthi rebels have upgraded their drone technology and have launched numerous attacks on vessels and Israel, leading to increased U.S. and Israeli retaliatory strikes. The U.S. recently classified the Houthis as a terrorist organization.

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President Donald Trump announced Saturday, March 15, that he ordered airstrikes on Yemen, targeting bases, leaders and missile defenses of terrorist forces. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the aerial attacks aimed to protect American shipping and restore navigational freedom.

Trump also issued a warning to Iran, demanding an immediate end to its support for Houthi militants.

“Do not threaten the American people, their president, or worldwide shipping lanes,” Trump stated. “If you do, beware, because America will hold you fully accountable and we won’t be nice about it.”

“No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the waterways of the world,” Trump wrote.

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The Houthi media office reported that the U.S. strikes hit a residential neighborhood in Sanaa’s northern district of Shouab. The operation was carried out solely by the U.S., according to an American official.

Previous airstrikes on Houthi-held areas in Yemen involved the United States, Israel and Britain, though Israel’s military declined to comment on the most recent operation.

Houthis upgrading weapons

Conflict Armament Research group recently found evidence that Houthi rebels are upgrading their drone technology, making it more difficult to track and capable of targeting beyond the Red Sea.

For over a year, the Houthis have launched missile and drone strikes on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Their attacks have disrupted global shipping and prompted retaliatory airstrikes from U.S. and Israeli forces.

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Since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, the Houthis have targeted more than 100 merchant vessels and launched over 350 drones and missiles at Israel. With Israel-Hamas talks stalled, Houthi leaders have threatened to resume attacks on Israel.

Classified as terrorist organization

On March 4, the U.S. State Department reclassified the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, following an executive order signed by President Trump.