The U.S. and Iran-backed Houthis vow escalation post airstrikes targeting rebels in Yemen, which resulted in significant casualties. U.S. officials assert ongoing military actions until the Houthis cease maritime threats, while Houthi leadership warns of retaliatory measures against U.S. forces. Amid rising tensions, calls for restraint highlight the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen.
The United States and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have issued warnings of escalation following U.S. airstrikes aimed at deterring Houthi attacks on military and commercial vessels in a crucial shipping corridor. The Houthis claimed that the strikes resulted in at least 53 fatalities and nearly 100 injuries in various Yemeni provinces. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that action will continue until the Houthis lose the capability to obstruct shipping.
President Donald Trump has pledged to employ “overwhelming lethal force” to halt Houthi assaults while holding Iran responsible for their actions. The Houthis have been engaged in repeated attacks on maritime vessels in the Red Sea, referring to their actions as support for the Palestinian cause. Although such attacks had waned during a ceasefire earlier this year, the Houthis have signaled a resumption of hostilities against Israeli ships.
The U.S. airstrikes mark one of the most significant offensives against the Houthis since the onset of the current Gaza conflict, targeting Houthi leadership and assets, as stated by national security adviser Mike Waltz. Following the U.S. aggressive actions, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi proclaimed intentions to escalate in response, threatening U.S. warships and aircraft. On the same day, the Houthis reportedly targeted the USS Harry S. Truman with drones and missiles, though most were intercepted without causing harm.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s spokesperson urged restraint and warned about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen, which is already severely affected by prolonged conflict. Rubio noted that the Houthis have conducted significant assaults on U.S. naval forces in recent months, highlighting the high stakes of the ongoing conflict. Iran has denied involvement in the rebels’ operations but has faced accusations of providing military support to them.
The U.S.-led airstrikes represent a significant escalation in military engagement with the Houthis, marking the first U.S. operation against them under Trump’s second term in office. The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group is actively present in the Red Sea as part of this renewed campaign.
The escalation between the United States and the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen signifies a critical juncture in ongoing regional conflicts. With the Houthis intensifying their maritime campaign and the U.S. retaliating with significant military action, the potential for increased violence remains high. International calls for restraint emerge amid concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, highlighting the complex interplay of local and international interests in the region.
Original Source: www.kgns.tv
