U.S. Military Launches Airstrikes on Houthi Targets in Yemen Under Trump’s Orders (video)

Washington, March 15, 2025 – The U.S. military, acting on direct orders from President Donald Trump, commenced a series of airstrikes targeting Houthi radar systems, air defenses, missile installations, and drone sites in Sana’a, Yemen, on Saturday, according to a report by The New York Times. The operation, described as a “decisive and powerful” military action, aims to dismantle the Iran-backed Houthi militia’s capacity to threaten American interests and global shipping lanes.

Trump’s Ultimatum and Rationale

NYT : بناءً على أوامر من الرئيس ترامب، الجيش الأمريكي يشن غارات جوية استهدفت رادارات الحوثيين ودفاعاتهم الجوية وأنظمة الصواريخ ومواقع الطائرات بدون طيار في صنعاء. pic.twitter.com/MTFHGe4IdB — ??محمد|MFU (@mfu46) March 15, 2025

In a fiery statement posted on Truth Social at 1:42 PM PDT, Trump declared, “To all Houthi terrorists: Your time is up, and your attacks must stop starting today. If you don’t, hell will rain down upon you like you’ve never seen before!” He elaborated, “Today, I ordered the United States Military to launch a decisive and powerful operation against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen. They’ve waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American ships, aircraft, and drones—and beyond.”

Trump lambasted his predecessor, saying, “Joe Biden’s response was pathetically weak, so the unrestrained Houthis kept going.” He cited a litany of grievances: no U.S. commercial vessel has safely transited the Suez Canal, Red Sea, or Gulf of Aden in over a year; a U.S. warship crossing the Red Sea four months ago faced over a dozen Houthi attacks; and Iran-funded Houthi missiles have targeted American planes and forces. “These relentless assaults have cost the U.S. and the world economy billions of dollars while endangering innocent lives,” he added.

Strategic Objectives

The strikes, executed by CENTCOM forces, target Houthi strongholds to protect U.S. shipping and military assets while restoring freedom of navigation—a principle Trump called “fundamental to international trade.” He accused the Houthis of “strangling shipping in one of the world’s most vital waterways,” paralyzing global commerce. “Our brave warfighters are now carrying out aerial attacks on the terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defenses,” he said, vowing, “No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the world’s waterways.”

A stern warning to Iran followed: “Support for the Houthi terrorists must end IMMEDIATELY! Do NOT threaten the American people, their President—who received one of the largest mandates in history—or global shipping lanes. If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable, and we won’t be nice about it!”

Operation Details and Context

Posts on X and CENTCOM’s statement at 1:03 PM PDT confirm the strikes hit multiple Houthi sites across Yemen, though specifics remain sparse as of 3:27 PM PDT. The New York Times reported targets included Sana’a’s radar and air defense networks, missile systems, and drone launch points—key assets in the Houthis’ campaign against Red Sea shipping since late 2023. This operation, the first major Houthi strike under Trump’s second term, follows a period of relative calm after a Gaza ceasefire in January, disrupted by Houthi threats to resume attacks on Israeli-linked vessels last week.

The escalation comes amid broader U.S. policy shifts, including travel restrictions on 43 countries and diplomatic spats with South Africa and Algeria, reported earlier today. Trump’s rhetoric ties the Yemen action to his nuclear negotiations with Iran, initiated via a letter to Tehran two weeks ago, though Iran’s Supreme Leader rejected talks on March 12.

Houthi Response and Next Steps

Houthi media reported civilian casualties—nine killed and nine injured, per their health ministry—claiming strikes hit residential areas in Sana’a’s Shouab district. Posts on X from Sana’a residents describe “earthquake-like” explosions, with plumes of smoke rising near the airport. Houthi deputy media chief Nasruddin Amer vowed retaliation, stating on social media, “Sana’a will remain Gaza’s shield.”

CENTCOM has not released a damage assessment, but a U.S. official told ABC News the strikes mark an “opening salvo,” with potential intensification based on Houthi reactions. Unlike Biden-era strikes, which failed to fully deter the Houthis, Trump’s promise of “overwhelming lethal force” signals a more aggressive stance, raising questions about escalation risks in an already volatile region.