U.S. and Iran-backed Houthis Escalate Tensions Following Airstrikes in Yemen

The U.S. and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen vow to escalate hostilities following recent airstrikes by the U.S. targeting Houthi capabilities to attack shipping vessels. Both sides have made declarations of retaliation, with the Houthis claiming impacts on military targets like the USS Harry S. Truman. Concerns about the humanitarian situation in Yemen are highlighted amidst accusations of Iranian military support for the Houthis.

The United States and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are preparing for an escalation in conflict following U.S. airstrikes aimed at preventing Houthi attacks on vital military and commercial vessels in a crucial shipping corridor. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the U.S. will work to ensure safe passage for ships and indicated that military actions will continue until the Houthis are no longer a threat.

President Donald Trump has pledged to employ “overwhelming lethal force” until Houthi assaults cease, asserting that Iran would be held accountable for the rebels’ actions. The Houthis, in turn, have been targeting international shipping in the Red Sea, claiming these acts are in solidarity with Palestinian interests amidst ongoing conflicts.

The Houthis have not launched attacks since a ceasefire was established but threatened to recommence their operations following Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian support to Gaza. In a recent escalation, the Houthis reported that U.S. airstrikes resulted in at least 31 fatalities and over 100 injuries in Yemen, marking one of the most significant U.S. operations against the group since the Gaza conflict began.

The U.S. strikes reportedly eliminated several Houthi leaders, though specifics have not been disclosed. In retaliation, the Houthis declared their intentions to respond to U.S. actions, claiming missile and drone attacks on the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, although U.S. officials stated they did not observe these attacks.

The situation in Yemen, already dire due to humanitarian crises, has led to calls for restraint from the United Nations, highlighting the potential for worsening conditions. Rubio reported that over the past 18 months, the Houthis have aggressively targeted U.S. Navy forces and commercial vessels with precision weaponry, intensifying maritime conflicts.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, while denying its involvement in Houthi activities, continues to face accusations of supplying arms to the rebels. The U.S. has previously intercepted Iranian military equipment destined for the Houthis, confirming long-standing concerns regarding Iran’s role in the regional conflict. This latest operation represents a new chapter in U.S. military engagement against Houthi forces under the Trump administration, involving an extensive naval deployment.

The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, consisting of multiple Navy destroyers and operation submarines, is actively overseeing the Red Sea as tensions escalate and the international community watches closely.

In summary, the recent U.S. airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen are provoking a renewed cycle of conflict, with both the U.S. and Houthis pledging further escalation. Trump and Rubio’s comments underline a commitment to secure shipping routes, while the Houthis threaten retaliation. Fears about worsening humanitarian conditions in Yemen, alongside allegations of Iranian support for the Houthis, continue to complicate the geopolitical climate in the region.

Original Source: www.local10.com