US (Washington Insider Magazine)— On March 15, 2025, US President Donald Trump authorized airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen following a series of attacks on military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The Houthis had been targeting ships linked to Israel, the US, and the UK, claiming solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.
The attacks, which started in October 2023, led to significant damage and the loss of lives, including the sinking of two vessels and the death of four sailors. Despite a ceasefire in Gaza in mid-January 2025, the Houthis resumed their attacks, threatening further disruption in key global shipping routes like the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
In response to these ongoing assaults, Trump ordered airstrikes, emphasizing the protection of American naval, air, and shipping assets, as well as restoring navigational freedom. The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, along with other naval assets, carried out the mission in the Red Sea. The operation specifically targeted Houthi-held areas in Yemen, marking the most recent escalation of the US military’s involvement in the region.
Trump also issued a stern warning to Iran, which has been providing military support to the Houthis, just as it has with other Middle Eastern proxies like Hamas. The White House stressed that these airstrikes were intended to pressure Tehran and hold it accountable for its role in backing the Houthis’ attacks. Additionally, the US State Department reinstated the Houthis as a “foreign terrorist organization,” imposing sanctions on those supporting the group.
These strikes reflect the ongoing complexities of the Yemen conflict, as well as the broader geopolitical struggle between the US, Iran, and their respective allies in the region.
