US initiates large-scale strikes on Yemen as Trump warns ‘hell will rain down upon' Houthis
Two US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons patrol the US Central Command area of responsibility – FILE/CENTCOM
CAIRO – 15 March 2025: US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday the launch of "decisive and powerful military action" in Yemen in response to the Houthis' threats to resume attacks on Israeli ships.
At least 31 people were killed and 101 more were injured across Yemen with most casualties being amongst women and children, wrote Anees Al-Asbahi, spokesman for the Houthi-run health ministry, citing preliminary data yesterday.
Footage aired by Houthi-run Al Masirah TV showed multiple individuals, including children, arriving at hospitals with burns on their bodies and faces, as well as other injuries.
In a message to the Houthis on Truth Social, Trump warned, "your time is up, and your attacks must stop, starting today. If they don't, hell will rain down upon you like nothing you have ever seen before!"
He also issued a stern warning to Iran, which supports the Houthis, stating that the US will 'hold you fully accountable, and we won't be nice about it.'
'The Houthi attack on American vessels will not be tolerated. We will use overwhelming lethal force until we achieve our objective,' Trump declared.
Last week, the Houthis announced their intention to resume attacks on Israeli ships after their deadline for Israel to allow the resumption of aid deliveries into Gaza expired.
The Houthis have carried out dozens of attacks on vessels linked to Israel and US warships in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli war that began on October 7, 2023.
The Israeli war in Gaza has killed more than 48,500 people to date, injured nearly 112,000 others with most of fatalities being women and children.
Tel Aviv has halted humanitarian aid to Gaza, home to around 2.3 million residents, following the expiration of the first phase of the ceasefire with Hamas on March 1.
The ceasefire took effect on 19 January, mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the US, allowing thousands of trucks laden with humanitarian aid and fuel to enter the enclave.
Israeli restrictions on aid deliveries throughout the war left Gaza on brink of famine, bringing serious warnings from the United Nations and relief groups about a worsening humanitarian situation.
The UN estimates that 96% of the population faces acute food insecurity, with 2.15 million people experiencing crisis levels of hunger or worse.
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