PRESIDENT Donald Trump has ordered a series of airstrikes on Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, aiming to combat Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and cease their ongoing assaults on commercial shipping in a critical maritime corridor. In a statement on social media, Trump emphasized the use of "overwhelming lethal force" until the Houthis stop their attacks. He declared that "no terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World."

The president also issued a direct warning to Iran, stating that the nation would be "fully accountable" for its support of the Houthi group. This military action follows a recent proclamation from the Houthis indicating their intention to resume attacks on Israeli vessels in response to Israel's blockade on Gaza, escalating tensions within the region.

Reports from the Houthi-run health ministry indicated that at least nine civilians were killed in the airstrikes, with multiple explosions reported around Sanaa, including areas near major military installations. Anees al-Asbahi, a spokesman for the ministry, provided these casualty figures, while Houthi officials declared that such airstrikes would not deter them from retaliating.

Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, reiterated this stance, asserting that "Sanaa will remain Gaza's shield and support" amidst the ongoing tensions. Images from the airstrike locations showed significant smoke rising from affected districts, triggering panic among local residents.

The Houthis have a history of targeting shipping vessels as part of their military campaign, having launched missiles and drones against over 100 merchant ships since the outbreak of conflict with Israel and Hamas. This campaign took a toll on maritime safety and raised the Houthis' profile internationally even as Yemen continues to struggle with widespread economic hardship.

In the past, the United States, alongside its allies Israel and Britain, has coordinated military actions against Houthi positions in Yemen. The current operation, ordered directly by Trump while he spent time at his golf club in Florida, represents a shift in U.S. military strategy in the region as it responds to various threats posed by the Houthis.

The strikes mark a significant moment in the renewed military engagement of U.S. forces in Yemen under the second Trump administration, indicating a potential escalation in U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts once again. The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, along with additional naval forces, played a critical role in these operations.

As tensions continue to heighten, Trump's administration aims to reassure regional partners of its commitment to securing maritime routes and combatting terrorist threats broadly.

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