US Strikes on Houthis Kill 23, Trump Warns of ‘Hell’ If Attacks Continue

Yemen: The United States carried out airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, resulting in at least 23 deaths, according to the rebels. The Houthis, who have been targeting Israel and ships in the Red Sea, reported that children were among those killed in the attacks.

The strikes hit multiple locations, including Sanaa, the rebel-controlled capital, and the northern Saada region, a key Houthi stronghold. In Sanaa, explosions rocked residential areas, with the Houthis claiming nine civilians were killed and nine others injured. In Saada, at least ten people died in one strike, and two more were killed in a separate attack on a house. Smoke was seen rising from the affected areas as the strikes unfolded.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) described the operations as “precision strikes” aimed at protecting American interests, deterring threats, and ensuring safe navigation in the region. They shared images of fighter jets launching from an aircraft carrier and a bomb destroying a building.

President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to the Houthis via social media, demanding they halt their attacks immediately. He threatened “overwhelming lethal force,” stating, “Hell will rain down” on them if they continue to endanger the American people, the president, or global shipping lanes.

The Houthis, undeterred, promised to retaliate. “Our armed forces are fully prepared to confront escalation with escalation,” they declared on their Al-Masirah TV station, labeling the US and British actions as “criminal brutality.”

Background on the Conflict

The Houthi rebels, who control large parts of Yemen, are aligned with Iran and belong to a network of groups opposing Israel and the United States. Throughout the Gaza war, they have launched numerous drone and missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians. These actions have severely disrupted a critical shipping route, forcing companies to reroute around southern Africa at significant cost.

The US has conducted multiple strikes on Houthi targets in recent years, often alongside British forces. Earlier this month, the US redesignated the Houthis as a “foreign terrorist organization,” prohibiting American dealings with them. The Houthis resumed their attacks this week, citing Israel’s ongoing blockade of aid to Gaza, despite a ceasefire there in January.

Yemen’s Ongoing War

The Houthis seized Sanaa in 2014 and nearly overran Yemen before a Saudi-led coalition stepped in. A ceasefire in 2022 has largely paused the fighting, but peace negotiations have faltered amid the rebels’ continued assaults on Israel and shipping.

Trump’s warning sidestepped the Israel-Palestinian issue, focusing instead on the Houthis’ threats to maritime trade and US interests. The rebels, meanwhile, show no signs of backing down, setting the stage for potential further conflict.