Trump warns Houthi rebels of ‘complete annihilation’ as US airstrikes target Yemen

Trump also said that the situation would 'get progressively worse' and emphasized that 'it’s not even a fair fight, and never will be...'

Smoke rises from a location reportedly struck by US airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen. (AP photo)

US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Wednesday, vowing they would be “completely annihilated” as American airstrikes intensified against their strongholds, reported AP. According to the Houthi-run Al-Masirah satellite news channel, the strikes hit the rebel-held capital, Sanaa, and the northwestern province of Saada on Wednesday night.

The channel aired footage of firefighters extinguishing flames in Sanaa and reported damage at a sheep farm in Al-Jawf. Strikes were also carried out overnight Tuesday, though the US military has not disclosed specific targets since the campaign began.

The initial wave of airstrikes over the weekend reportedly killed at least 53 people, including children, and left several others injured, according to AP.

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Trump says ‘tremendous damage’ inflicted

Reacting to the ongoing assault, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, asserting that “tremendous damage has been inflicted upon the Houthi barbarians.” He warned that the situation would “get progressively worse” and emphasized that “it’s not even a fair fight, and never will be. They will be completely annihilated!”

Trump also renewed warnings against Iran, alleging without presenting evidence that Tehran had scaled back its military aid to the Houthis. “Iran must stop the sending of these Supplies IMMEDIATELY,” he declared.

Iran has historically backed the Houthis, who belong to the Shiite Zaydi sect and ruled Yemen for centuries until 1962. Despite physical evidence and multiple seizures linking Tehran to Houthi arms supplies, Iran consistently denies providing military support to the group.

Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency acknowledged Trump’s remarks, referring to previous statements by Iran’s UN ambassador, Amir Saeed Iravani, who dismissed the claims as “baseless accusations.”

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Also Read: | Expert Explains: In US fresh attacks on Houthis, what are Trump’s new objectives

Houthi attacks on merchant vessels

From November 2023 to January this year, before a ceasefire in Gaza, the Houthis launched over 100 attacks on merchant vessels using missiles and drones. The assaults resulted in two ships being sunk and four sailors losing their lives.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Houthi-controlled SABA news agency admitted that rebel forces had removed food supplies from a World Food Program (WFP) warehouse without authorization. The report stated that approximately 20% of the available aid had been taken.

The United Nations had already suspended its operations in Saada in February, citing security risks following the detention of dozens of UN workers and others. One WFP staff member reportedly died while in Houthi custody, AP reported.

(With inputs from AP)

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