Fire and Fury: Trump Orders Military Onslaught on Houthis Amid Red Sea Chaos”

U.S. STRIKES YEMEN’S HOUTHIS: ESCALATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

-At Least 19 Killed as Trump Orders Massive Retaliatory Strikes on Yemen

 

Washington, D.C. / Sanaa – March 15, 2025 – In an unprecedented escalation, U.S. President Donald Trump has launched large-scale military strikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, vowing that “hell will rain down” should the group continue its attacks on Red Sea shipping. The offensive, which officials warn could last for weeks, has already resulted in at least 19 deaths, including civilians.

The strikes come in response to a surge of Houthi attacks on commercial vessels, which have disrupted global trade routes and threatened U.S. military assets in the region. Trump also issued a stark warning to Iran, the Houthis’ primary benefactor, stating, “America will hold you fully accountable, and we won’t be nice about it!”

Escalating Tensions and Civilian Casualties

In the capital, Sanaa, at least 13 civilians were killed and nine others wounded in the U.S. airstrikes, according to the Houthi-controlled health ministry. Additional reports indicate that six people—including four children and a woman—were killed in the northern province of Saada, according to the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV. The Houthis have condemned the attacks, calling them a “war crime.”

“Our Yemeni armed forces are fully prepared to respond to escalation with escalation,” the group’s political bureau warned in a defiant statement.

Residents in Sanaa described the horror of the strikes. “The explosions were violent and shook the neighborhood like an earthquake. They terrified our women and children,” said Abdullah Yahia, a local resident, in an interview with Reuters.

The Largest U.S. Operation in the Middle East Under Trump

This marks the most significant U.S. military operation in the Middle East since Trump took office. The U.S. Central Command confirmed that Saturday’s strikes are part of a sweeping operation aimed at crippling the Houthis’ offensive capabilities.

Houthi forces have launched more than 100 attacks on maritime vessels since November 2023, significantly disrupting global commerce. The U.S. has spent billions intercepting their missile and drone attacks, depleting air defense stocks. The Houthis claim their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.

A Regional Power Struggle: Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas

While Iran’s other allies—Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon—have been significantly weakened by Israeli military action, the Houthis remain resilient. Their aggressive attacks have resulted in two sunken vessels, the seizure of another, and at least four fatalities among seafarers, forcing shipping companies to reroute at great expense.

Despite previous U.S. strikes under former President Joe Biden, the Houthis maintained their campaign. Now, with Trump escalating military efforts, the conflict threatens to engulf the region further. The latest U.S. assault was launched from fighter jets aboard the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier stationed in the Red Sea.

Iran and U.S. on Collision Course

Trump’s administration had recently sought diplomatic engagement with Iran, with a letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program. However, Khamenei firmly rejected talks.

“Iran’s support for the Houthis must end immediately,” Trump declared, raising the stakes with Tehran. The Pentagon, echoing Trump’s stance, warned that any further Houthi aggression would be met with “overwhelming lethal force.”

The situation remains highly volatile, with the possibility of wider regional conflict looming. As the world watches, the question remains: Will these strikes deter the Houthis, or will they lead to an all-out war in the Middle East?