Trump escalates conflict with Houthi through airstrikes in Yemen

The US military has launched multiple airstrikes across Yemen in an effort to weaken the Houthi rebel group and prevent future attacks on maritime shipping in the region.

As reported by France24, the majority of strikes targeted Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, with multiple reports of explosions and fires at Houthi military bases and complexes, including the city’s airport on March 15.

The airstrikes come amid growing fears that the Houthis may resume attacks on ships off the Yemeni coast in protest against Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

Before the ceasefire, and since the start of the war, the Houthis had targeted over 100 merchant ships, sinking two. Their attacks caused major disruptions to global shipping routes and significantly impacted the world economy.

While there was a brief period of relative calm in the region following the ceasefire, the latest US airstrikes, combined with renewed Houthi threats, have raised tensions once again.

Commenting on the strikes, US President Donald Trump stated in a social media post: “No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the waterways of the world.”

While US airstrikes against the Houthis were common under the Biden administration, these mark the first such strikes under Trump since his inauguration in January.

Whether the Houthis will retaliate by resuming attacks on maritime shipping remains to be seen. However, what is clear is that the conflict in the region is far from over.

France24