Yemen’s Houthis mentioned on Tuesday (March 18, 2025) they carried out their third attack on American warships in 48 hours, following U.S. strikes on the Iran-backed rebels that sparked mass protests in areas beneath their management.
The rebels additionally condemned Israel’s wave of strikes on Gaza, which the Health Ministry within the Hamas-run territory mentioned killed greater than 400 folks, vowing to escalate their very own operations in assist of ally Hamas.
The Houthis had focused ships within the Red Sea after the beginning of the Gaza struggle and till a January ceasefire, claiming solidarity with Palestinians.
But final week, they threatened to resume assaults on Israeli transport over Israel’s assist blockade on the Palestinian territory, triggering the primary U.S. strikes on Yemen since President Donald Trump took workplace in January.
In their newest retaliation, the Houthis mentioned on Telegram on Tuesday (March 18, 2025) that they fired missiles and drones on the USS Harry S. Truman, calling it the “third in the past 48 hours” on the fleet within the northern Red Sea.
A U.S. defence official mentioned the Houthis “continue to communicate lies and disinformation”, including the Iran-backed group is “well known for false claims minimising the results of our attacks while exaggerating the successes of theirs”.
U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich earlier instructed reporters it was “hard to confirm” the assaults claimed by the Houthis because the rebels had been lacking their targets “by over 100 miles” (160 km).
No Houthis ‘without Iran’
Houthi media mentioned fresh U.S. strikes hit the Hodeida and Al-Salif areas Monday (March 17, 2025) and Sanaa early on Tuesday (March 18, 2025) – hours after tens of 1000’s demonstrated, chanting “Death to America, death to Israel!” within the capital.
There had been additionally giant crowds in Saada, the birthplace of the Houthi motion, and demonstrations in Dhamar, Hodeida and Amran on Monday (March 17, 2025).
The protests got here after Washington launched its fresh marketing campaign of air strikes on Yemen starting Saturday (March 15, 2025), killing 53 folks and wounding 98 in accordance with the Houthi-run Health Ministry.
Washington has vowed to maintain hitting Yemen till the Houthis cease firing on transport, with Mr. Trump warning he’ll maintain Iran accountable for his or her assaults.
“Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon, from this point forward, as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN,” Mr. Trump posted on social media.
Tehran known as his assertion “belligerent”.
In a televised interview with Fox News, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned the Houthis do “not exist” with out Iran.
“Without Iran, there is no Houthi threat of this magnitude,” he mentioned.
“They created this Frankenstein monster, and now they got to own it.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the US strikes and mentioned Washington had “no authority” to dictate Tehran’s international coverage.
‘Hell will rain down’
On Saturday (March 15, 2025), the Houthi-controlled capital was hit by heavy strikes, together with in northern districts frequented by the rebels’ management.
U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz instructed ABC News that Saturday’s (March 15, 2025) strikes “targeted multiple Houthi leaders and took them out”. The Houthis haven’t responded to Waltz’s declare.
The Pentagon mentioned on Monday (March 17, 2025) it had struck 30 targets in its ongoing marketing campaign in Yemen.
The United Nations urged either side to “cease all military activity”, whereas expressing concern over Houthi threats to renew their Red Sea assaults.
Before this weekend’s focusing on of the U.S. service group, the Houthis had not claimed any assaults within the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since January 19, when the ceasefire in Gaza started.
Mr. Trump has warned the Yemeni group that “hell will rain down upon you” if it doesn’t cease its assaults.
Costly detour
While the Red Sea commerce route usually carries round 12% of world transport site visitors, Houthi assaults have compelled many corporations into expensive detours round southern Africa.
A database arrange by ACLED, a non-profit monitor, confirmed greater than 130 Houthi assaults in opposition to warships, business vessels and Israeli and different targets since October 19, 2023.
The United States had already launched a number of rounds of strikes on Houthi targets beneath president Joe Biden.
Israel has additionally struck Yemen, most just lately in December, after Houthi missile hearth in direction of Israeli territory.
The rebels management giant swathes of Yemen after ousting the internationally recognised authorities from Sanaa.
They have been at struggle with a Saudi-led coalition backing the federal government since 2015, a battle that has triggered a serious humanitarian disaster.
Fighting has largely been on maintain since a U.N.-brokered ceasefire in 2022, however the peace course of has stalled for the reason that Houthis started their assaults.
Published – March 18, 2025 11:01 pm IST
