Trump Issues Stern Warnings Amid U.S. Strikes on Houthi Forces
LONDON — In a decisive message on Monday, President Donald Trump cautioned that any further attacks or retaliatory actions from the Houthi rebels would be interpreted as direct aggression from Iran, which he pledged would face “dire” consequences.
Background of Hostilities
These remarks from the President come in the wake of new U.S. airstrikes targeting the Houthi group initiated over the weekend. The Houthis, a Yemeni group aligned with Iran, claimed on Sunday to have successfully averted what they described as a “hostile attack” planned against them. Reports from U.S. military officials indicated that the Houthis launched 11 drones and one ballistic missile towards the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier group located in the Red Sea, although none directly threatened the U.S. vessels.
Trump’s Characterization of the Houthis
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump condemned the Houthis as “sinister mobsters and thugs,” asserting that their military actions are orchestrated by Iran. He emphasized, “Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon, from this point forward, as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN.”
Details of the U.S. Military Actions
In the recent military operations, Trump characterized the U.S. strikes as “decisive and powerful.” Since December 2022, the Houthis have engaged in attacks against shipping linked to Western nations and have launched munitions toward Israel, a retaliation to the conflict involving Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
During a briefing at the Pentagon, Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich stated that U.S. forces targeted 30 locations connected with Houthi military operations. These included terrorist training sites, UAV manufacturing facilities, and command centers that house senior personnel involved in their military efforts against shipping in the region.
Civilian Impact and Military Response
According to the Yemeni Health Ministry, the U.S. airstrikes resulted in 53 deaths and 98 injuries. While Grynkewich acknowledged reports of civilian casualties, he maintained that the Pentagon has found “no credible indications” of such events despite being vigilant about the situation. Trump expressed confidence regarding the U.S. military’s response, stating that there is no concern about potential retaliatory strikes following the latest actions.
Strategic Implications
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz further articulated that the American strikes not only targeted specific Houthi leaders but also signaled a strategic shift by holding Iran accountable for the actions of its proxies in the region. The Houthis declared they would persist in blocking Israeli vessels in the region until the blockade on Gaza is rescinded.
Conclusion and Outlook
As tensions escalate, the U.S. military operations in Yemen signal a robust stance against Iranian influence through the Houthis. It remains to be seen how these developments will unfold and the potential ramifications for regional security.
Contributions to this report were made by ABC News’ Will Gretsky, Nicholas Kerr, Michelle Stoddart, and Luis Martinez.