US and Houthi Rebels Escalate Tensions Following Airstrikes in Yemen

The United States and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have escalated tensions in Yemen following U.S. airstrikes meant to deter rebel attacks on maritime vessels, resulting in numerous casualties. Both sides have vowed to continue military actions, with the Houthis threatening retaliation against U.S. forces. Calls for restraint are emerging amid concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, exacerbated by ongoing military engagements.

The ongoing conflict in Yemen has taken a new turn as both the United States and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have vowed to escalate their military actions following U.S. airstrikes aimed at deterring Houthi assaults on vessels. The Houthi-run Health Ministry reported that the airstrikes resulted in the deaths of at least 53 individuals, including women and children, and nearly 100 injuries in various provinces, particularly Sanaa and Saada.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the U.S. will not allow the Houthis to control maritime passage and declared that military actions would persist until the Houthis are rendered incapable of such control. President Donald Trump reiterated this stance, promising to employ “overwhelming lethal force” against the Houthis and implicating Tehran in their aggressive actions.

The Houthi rebels have previously targeted shipping in the Red Sea as a show of solidarity with Palestine amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict. Although these attacks had paused during a ceasefire, the Houthis announced their intent to resume assaults following Israel’s recent humanitarian aid restrictions to Gaza. No such attacks have been recorded since the announcement.

The recent U.S. airstrikes mark a significant escalation in military efforts against the Houthis during the ongoing Gaza war. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz indicated that the strikes effectively targeted several Houthi leaders, although specific details were not disclosed. Rubio confirmed the destruction of various Houthi facilities during the airstrikes.

In response to U.S. actions, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the Houthi leader, declared their readiness for retaliatory measures, including missile strikes on U.S. naval assets. The Houthis purportedly launched drones and a missile aimed at the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, with U.S. forces successfully intercepting the majority of these projectiles.

The U.N. Secretary-General’s spokesman called for restraint and cessation of military operations, highlighting the detrimental humanitarian conditions in Yemen, described as the poorest Arab nation. Rubio noted that the Houthis have previously launched 174 direct assaults on the U.S. Navy and targeted commercial shipping numerous times.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard maintains a position of non-involvement regarding Houthi hostilities, and Iran’s Foreign Minister has urged the U.S. to cease airstrikes, insisting that Iran’s foreign policy will not be dictated by Washington. The U.S. has accused Iran of facilitating military support to the Houthis, substantiated by the confiscation of Iranian ammunition and missiles intended for the rebels. This escalation represents the first U.S. military action against the Houthis in the new term of the Trump administration.

Current naval operations in the Red Sea also involve the USS Georgia cruise missile submarine, alongside the carrier and its support destroyers and cruisers, in response to the heightened tensions in the region.

In summary, the recent U.S. airstrikes against Houthi rebels have intensified the conflict in Yemen, provoking responses from both the United States and the Houthis. The strikes resulted in significant casualties and mark a pivotal moment in military actions since the Gaza war began. Notably, the Houthis have threatened retaliatory measures, while U.S. officials reaffirm their commitment to countering such assaults. International calls for restraint reflect the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, further complicated by regional dynamics involving Iran’s alleged support for the Houthis.

Original Source: www.kgns.tv