Key Takeaways:

• Over 31 casualties reported after US strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen.
• Trump threatens overwhelming force until Houthis cease attacks on shipping.
• The Houthis vow to retaliate amidst escalating military actions.

US President Donald Trump has ordered extensive military strikes against the Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen, killing at least 31 people according to reports from the Houthi-run health ministry and causing significant injuries among civilians, including women and children. The strikes, described as the largest US military operation in the Middle East since January, come in response to the Houthis’ ongoing attacks on maritime shipping in the Red Sea, which have increased sharply during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Trump has vowed to use "overwhelming lethal force" in order to restore freedom of navigation in these critical waters, which is a core national interest for the United States. He has also issued warnings to Iran, demanding an immediate cessation of its support for the Houthis, stating that if Iran threatens the US, "America will hold you fully accountable and, we won’t be nice about it." This rhetoric has garnered responses from Iranian officials, including a warning from Hossein Salami, the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, indicating that Iran views these actions as hostile and will respond decisively if provoked.

Reports indicate that the Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen and the capital Sanaa, have claimed to retaliate by targeting US naval assets, including the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, but no evidence has been provided to substantiate these claims. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree declared they would escalate military actions if the US attacks continued, asserting their commitment to targeting shipping lanes as long as they perceive a threat to their operations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on the necessity of the strikes, stating, "We're doing the entire world a favor by getting rid of these guys and their ability to strike global shipping." As the conflict escalates, the US plans to sustain its military campaign for an indefinite period until the Houthis cease their attacks on shipping.

The situation remains fluid, with calls from international actors such as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, advocating for a political dialogue and cessation of military activity in Yemen, highlighting concerns about the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by ongoing violence. Source.