The United States has vowed to continue airstrikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels until they cease attacks on international shipping, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday. The strikes, which the Houthi-run health ministry claims have killed at least 53 people, mark one of the largest U.S. military operations in the region in recent years.
The Houthis, an Iran-aligned group that controls much of Yemen, have responded by threatening to escalate their attacks. In a televised speech, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi declared that his forces would target U.S. ships in the Red Sea if the attacks continued. "If they continue their aggression, we will continue the escalation," he warned.
The U.S. military launched a series of powerful airstrikes on Saturday, targeting Houthi military sites in Sanaa, Taiz, and Hudaydah. Reports from the Houthi-controlled health ministry state that the attacks resulted in significant civilian casualties, including women and children. U.S. officials, however, have not confirmed these claims.
In response, the Houthis claimed—without evidence—that they had fired ballistic missiles and drones at the USS Harry S. Truman, an aircraft carrier in the Red Sea. However, a U.S. official confirmed that 11 Houthi drones had been shot down before posing any direct threat.
Iran’s top military commander, Hossein Salami, issued a stern warning to Washington, stating that Tehran would "respond decisively" if threatened. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. strikes, calling them an attack on the Yemeni people.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged "utmost restraint" and warned that continued escalation could destabilize Yemen and worsen the already dire humanitarian crisis. Russia also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, emphasizing the need for diplomatic dialogue.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have targeted dozens of merchant vessels in the Red Sea, claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. While they initially paused attacks during a temporary ceasefire, the rebels recently renewed their threats against Israeli-linked ships. The assaults have severely disrupted global trade, prompting international concern.
U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz stated that the recent strikes were a direct message to Iran and its allies, warning them against further aggression. President Donald Trump reinforced this stance, declaring that the U.S. would unleash "overwhelming lethal force" if the Houthis persisted.
As tensions continue to rise, the conflict threatens to expand beyond Yemen, with global leaders closely monitoring the situation.