Trump orders strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and points new warning to Iran

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump mentioned he ordered a sequence of airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Saturday, promising to make use of “overwhelming deadly drive” till Iranian-backed Houthi rebels stop their assaults on delivery alongside a significant maritime hall.

“Our courageous Warfighters are proper now finishing up aerial assaults on the terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defenses to guard American delivery, air, and naval property, and to revive Navigational Freedom,” Trump mentioned in a social media submit. “No terrorist drive will cease American business and naval vessels from freely crusing the Waterways of the World.”

He additionally warned Iran to cease supporting the insurgent group, promising to carry the nation “absolutely accountable” for the actions of its proxy. It comes two weeks after the usleader despatched a letter to Iranian leaders providing a path to restarting bilateral talks between the 2 international locations on Iran’s advancing nuclear weapons program that Trump has mentioned he is not going to enable to turn into operational.

The Houthis reported a sequence of explosions of their territory Saturday night. Photographs circulating on-line present plumes of black smoke over the realm of the Sanaa airport complicated, which features a sprawling navy facility.

The airstrikes come a couple of days after the Houthis mentioned they’d resume assaults on Israeli vessels crusing in waters off Yemen in response to Israel’s blockade on Gaza. There have been no Houthi assaults reported since then.

Earlier this month, Israel halted all support coming into Gaza and warned of “further penalties” for Hamas if their fragile ceasefire within the battle isn’t prolonged as negotiations proceed over beginning a second part.

The Houthis had described their warning as taking maintain within the Crimson Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Arabian Sea.

The Houthis focused over 100 service provider vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two vessels and killing 4 sailors, throughout their marketing campaign concentrating on navy and civilian ships between the beginning of the battle between Israel and Hamas in late 2023 and January of this yr, when a tenuous ceasefire in Gaza took impact.

The assaults vastly raised the Houthis’ profile as they confronted financial issues and launched a crackdown concentrating on any dissent and support employees at dwelling amid Yemen’s decade-long stalemated battle that’s torn aside the Arab world’s poorest nation.

The US, Israel and Britain have beforehand hit Houthi-held areas in Yemen. Israel’s navy declined to remark.

The Houthi media workplace mentioned the U.S. strikes hit “a residential neighborhood” in Sanaa’s northern district of Shouab. Sanaa residents mentioned no less than 4 airstrikes rocked the Japanese Geraf neighborhood in Shouab district, terrifying ladies and kids within the space.

“The explosions have been very robust,” mentioned Abdallah al-Alffi. “It was like an earthquake.”

The Saturday operation in opposition to the Houthis was performed solely by the U.S., in response to a U.S. official. It was the primary strike on the Yemen-based Houthis beneath the second Trump administration, and it comes after a interval of relative quiet within the area.

Such broad-based and pre-planned missile strikes in opposition to the Houthis have been completed a number of instances by the Biden administration in response to frequent assaults by the Houthis in opposition to business and navy vessels within the area.

The united statesHarry S. Truman service strike group, which incorporates the service, three Navy destroyers and one cruiser, are within the Crimson Sea and have been a part of the mission. The united statesGeorgia cruise missile submarine has additionally been working within the area.

Trump introduced the strikes as he spent the day at his Trump Worldwide Golf Membership in West Palm Seaside, Florida.

“These relentless assaults have price the U.S. and World Economic system many BILLIONS of {Dollars} whereas, on the identical time, placing harmless lives in danger,” Trump mentioned.

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Baldor reported from Washington and Magdy reported from Cairo. AP White Home Correspondent Zeke Miller contributed from Washington.