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The United States has launched a series of airstrikes on key Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, targeting strongholds believed to house senior leaders of the Iran-aligned group. The strikes, carried out overnight on March 18, 2025, hit multiple locations, including Saada province and the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, according to Yemeni sources. These areas are considered critical hubs for Houthi military operations, housing weapons storage facilities and training sites.
The operation marks one of the most significant U.S. military actions in the region under President Donald Trump’s administration. The strikes come in response to escalating Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, which the group claims are acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The Houthis have intensified their operations in recent weeks, targeting Israeli-linked vessels and threatening to expand their attacks unless the blockade on Gaza is lifted.
Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported more than 10 airstrikes on various locations, including the Al-Safra district in Saada, a long-time hideout for Houthi leaders. Yemeni sources confirmed that the strikes forced several senior Houthi figures into hiding, disrupting their communication networks. The U.S. Central Command described the operation as part of its ongoing efforts to counter threats to global trade and regional stability.
President Trump issued a stern warning to Iran, holding it accountable for supporting the Houthis and their attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes. “Iran must stop supplying weapons and resources to these terrorists immediately,” Trump stated on his social media platform. He also vowed to continue using “overwhelming lethal force” to protect international shipping routes and deter further aggression.
The Houthis, however, remain defiant. The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, claimed that their forces successfully targeted U.S. warships in the Red Sea with missiles and drones, although these claims have not been independently verified. The Houthis also vowed to escalate their attacks, describing the U.S. airstrikes as an act of aggression against Yemen.
The strikes have drawn mixed reactions from the international community. While some nations have supported the U.S. efforts to secure maritime trade routes, others have expressed concern about the potential for civilian casualties and the broader implications for Yemen’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. The conflict in Yemen, which has raged for over a decade, has already left millions in need of humanitarian assistance, with malnutrition and disease rampant across the country.
The Houthis, who control large swathes of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, have been a key player in the country’s protracted civil war. Backed by Iran, the group has developed a sophisticated arsenal of drones and ballistic missiles, posing a significant threat to regional security. The U.S. airstrikes aim to weaken the group’s military capabilities and disrupt its operations, but analysts warn that the conflict could escalate further if diplomatic solutions are not pursued.
The Red Sea, a vital corridor for global trade, has become a flashpoint in the conflict, with Houthi attacks disrupting shipping and raising insurance costs for vessels navigating the area. The U.S. has pledged to maintain a strong naval presence in the region to safeguard these critical waterways.
As tensions continue to rise, the focus remains on finding a resolution to the conflict that addresses the root causes of instability in Yemen. The U.S. airstrikes highlight the complexities of the situation, where military action is intertwined with broader geopolitical dynamics involving Iran, Israel, and other regional players.