The U.S. and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels are escalating tensions post-U.S. airstrikes in Yemen, which reportedly killed at least 53 people. Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed to deter Houthi threats to maritime security. Amidst renewed Houthi attacks on shipping, Iran denied involvement while conflict in the region intensifies, posing risks to humanitarian conditions in Yemen.
The United States and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are poised for escalation following U.S. airstrikes aimed at preventing attacks on military and commercial vessels in a crucial shipping corridor. The Houthi-run Health Ministry reported at least 53 fatalities, including children, from these strikes in the capital, Sanaa, and surrounding provinces.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that the U.S. would not tolerate Houthi control over shipping lanes. He indicated, “We’re not going to have these people controlling which ships can go through and which ones cannot,” and emphasized that the U.S. actions would continue until the Houthis lose their capability to threaten maritime security. President Donald Trump reiterated the commitment to employing “overwhelming lethal force” in response to Houthi aggression.
The Houthis, who have attacked vessels in the Red Sea amidst their support for Palestinians in Gaza, indicated plans to renew maritime assaults against Israeli ships. Previously stated attacks subsided with a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, yet provocations have resurfaced as humanitarian aid to Gaza was impeded.
The recent U.S. airstrikes mark significant military action against the Houthis since the onset of conflict in Gaza in October 2023. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz reported that the operations aimed at eliminating multiple Houthi leadership figures, although specifics were not disclosed. Rubio noted that several Houthi facilities sustained destruction.
In a statement, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi declared a commitment to counter any escalation with increased aggression, reiterating that the Houthis are prepared to target U.S. naval assets. On Sunday, they claimed missile and drone operations against the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, although U.S. defense systems successfully intercepted these threats.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for restraint, emphasizing the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen. Rubio highlighted that the Houthis have perpetrated 174 attacks on the U.S. Navy and 145 against shipping interests within the past 18 months, underscoring increased tensions and risks in the region.
Iranian officials denied involvement in the Houthi attacks, with Revolutionary Guard General Hossein Salami insisting that Iran does not dictate the operational policies of these allied groups. The U.S. has accused Iran of providing military support to the Houthis, reiterating past interceptions of Iranian weapons destined for Yemen.
This airstrike operation is significant as it stands as the exclusive U.S. military action against the Houthis under President Trump’s administration, involving naval forces including the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group and the USS Georgia submarine, enhancing U.S. military readiness in the Red Sea.
In summary, following recent U.S. airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen, both the United States and the Houthis are escalating their military postures. With fatalities reported and renewed threats from the Houthis against U.S. and Israeli assets, the situation remains volatile. Diplomatic appeals for de-escalation have been made, amid worries of the humanitarian impact on Yemen, the poorest nation in the Arab world.
Original Source: www.kgns.tv
