The US launched a wave of large-scale military strikes against dozens of targets in Yemen this evening (Saturday night). The attacks are focused on facilities controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi militia.
The attacks hit air defense systems, missile arsenals, and drones, with the aim of opening shipping lanes in the Red Sea.
Arab media outlets reported an airstrike in the Sana'a area. In addition to airstrikes, warships are also participating in the extensive and unusual wave of attacks.
President Trump announced today that he has directed the United States military to launch a powerful military operation against the Houthis in Yemen: "Sponsored by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at American aircraft and attempted to harm our troops and our allies. Their relentless attacks have cost the United States and the global economy billions of dollars, and have put innocent lives at risk.
"We will not tolerate Houthi attacks on American vessels," Trump wrote. "We will use overwhelming and deadly force until we achieve our objective."
He addressed the Houthis: "Your time is up, and the attacks must stop today. If not, hell will fall upon you."
A senior American official told Al-Arabiya that the strikes in Yemen are "the most important military mission of the new Trump administration - which is also intended to send a deterrent message to Iran."
According to a report on News 12, the decision to carry out the strikes was made at the end of a series of high-level meetings attended by President Trump, Vice President Vance, Defense Secretary Hastings, Secretary of State Rubio, National Security Advisor Walz, and the commander of US Central Command, Michael Corilla.
Some National Security Council advisers have recommended a more extensive strike operation that would even cause the Houthis to lose control of some of their territory in Yemen, but Trump has not yet approved such a move, for fear of entangling the United States militarily in the Middle East.
According to senior US officials, the airstrikes on the Houthi weapons arsenal, most of which is held and hidden deep underground, may last for days and may even intensify depending on the organization's response.
This is a significant attack, which occurs a few days after the Houthis threatened to renew their attacks in the Red Sea, in response to the halting of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Since Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Houthi rebels have attacked more than 100 merchant ships and warships in the Red Sea using hundreds of missiles, drones, and speedboats laden with explosives, disrupting global trade in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
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