US and Iran-Backed Houthis Commit to Escalation Following Airstrikes Targeting Yemen Rebels

The United States and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are both promising to escalate tensions following US airstrikes aimed at deterring the rebels from targeting military and commercial vessels in a key shipping corridor. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, "We're not going to have these people controlling which ships can go through and which ones cannot." He emphasised that the strikes would continue until the Houthis lose their capability to disrupt shipping.

President Donald Trump has pledged to use "overwhelming lethal force" against the Houthis until they stop their attacks. He also warned that Iran would be held "fully accountable" for its actions. The Houthis have targeted international shipping in the Red Sea, claiming these acts are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel is engaged in conflict with Hamas, another Iranian ally.

US Airstrikes and Houthi Response

The Houthi-run Health Ministry reported that US airstrikes killed at least 31 people, including women and children, and injured over 100 in Sanaa and Saada. These strikes were among the most extensive against the Houthis since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023. Trump's national security adviser, Michael Waltz, mentioned that multiple Houthi leaders were targeted, though he did not provide specific details.

The Houthis have vowed to retaliate against the US strikes, stating they will "meet escalation with escalation." On Sunday, they claimed to have targeted the USS Harry S Truman carrier strike group with missiles and a drone. However, two US officials, speaking anonymously, said there was no evidence of such an attack.

Iran's Denial and International Accusations

General Hossein Salami of Iran's Revolutionary Guard denied any involvement in the Houthi attacks. He stated on state-run TV that Iran does not influence the operational policies of its allied militant groups. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged the US to stop its airstrikes and asserted that Washington cannot dictate Iran's foreign policy.

The US has long accused Iran of supplying military aid to the Houthis. The US Navy has intercepted Iranian-made missile parts and other weapons allegedly intended for the rebels. Despite previous joint operations by the US, Israel, and Britain against Houthi-held areas in Yemen, this recent operation was solely conducted by the US under Trump's second administration.

Impact on Shipping and Military Operations

Over the past 18 months, Rubio noted that Houthis attacked the US Navy 174 times directly and targeted commercial shipping 145 times using precision anti-ship weaponry. These incidents have led to some of the most intense combat faced by the US Navy since World War II. The USS Harry S Truman carrier strike group is currently stationed in the Red Sea as part of ongoing operations.

The USS Georgia cruise missile submarine is also active in the region. The renewed hostilities follow a period of calm after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in January, just before Trump assumed office. However, tensions reignited when Israel halted humanitarian aid to Gaza earlier this month.

The situation remains tense as both sides prepare for potential further confrontations. The international community continues to watch closely as developments unfold in this volatile region.