US bombs Yemen, killing 31, after Houthis threaten Israel over Gaza

The US launches air attacks on Yemen, killing at least 31 people, most of them women and children, after President Donald Trump warned that “hell will rain down” on the Houthis.

A resident of the Yemeni capital has described witnessing the US attacks.

“The explosions were violent and shook the neighbourhood like an earthquake,” Abdullah Yahia told Reuters.

The attacks come after the Yemeni rebel group threatened to resume attacks on Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea over the total blockade of the Gaza Strip, which is now in its third week.

Israeli forces continue attacks on Gaza despite the ceasefire, killing at least 12 people including eight relief workers and a child in northern Beit Lahiya.

Gaza’s Health Ministry says at least 48,543 Palestinians have so far been confirmed killed and 111,981 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza. Gaza’s Government Media Office has updated its death toll to more than 61,700, saying thousands of Palestinians missing under the rubble are presumed dead. 

At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attacks, and more than 200 were taken captive.

The strikes came in retaliation for the group's attacks on Red Sea shipping. Trump warned of severe repercussions if the Houthis continued their aggression, declaring, "Hell will rain down on them."

He also delivered a strong message to Iran, the Houthis' primary supporter, demanding an immediate end to its backing of the group. Emphasizing the seriousness of any threat to the U.S., Trump stated, "America will hold you fully accountable, and we won’t be nice about it

After US President Donald Trump ordered "decisive" military action against the Yemen's Houthis, US fighter jets took off on their mission on Saturday (local time).

Earlier in the day, Trump announced a "decisive and powerful" military against Houthis, accusing them of piracy, violence and terrorism targeting Americans.

"Today, I have ordered the United States Military to launch decisive and powerful Military action against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen. They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American and other ships, aircraft, and drones," Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform.

Trump said the US would use "overwhelming lethal force" against the Houthis, while accusing them of 'choking' transportation through the Suez Canal, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which have affected the trade and commerce and "attacked" the principle of Freedom of Navigation.

"The Houthi attack on American vessels will not be tolerated. We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective. The Houthis have choked off shipping in one of the most important Waterways of the World, grinding vast swaths of Global Commerce to a halt, and attacking the core principle of Freedom of Navigation upon which International Trade and Commerce depends," Trump said.

Criticising former President Joe Biden's "weak" response against the Houthis, Trump pointed out that attacks by Houthis on US military and commercial ships have cost the US and world economy "billions of Dollars."

"Joe Biden's response was pathetically weak, so the unrestrained Houthis just kept going. It has been over a year since a U.S. flagged commercial ship safely sailed through the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, or the Gulf of Aden. 

The last American Warship to go through the Red Sea, four months ago, was attacked by the Houthis over a dozen times. Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at U.S. aircraft, and targeted our Troops and Allies.

 These relentless assaults have cost the U.S. and World Economy many BILLIONS of Dollars while, at the same time, putting innocent lives at risk," Trump said.

Trump said that the US is now carrying out "aerial attacks on the terrorists' bases, leaders, and missile defenses to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore Navigational Freedom."

"No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World," Trump added.

Trump also issued a direct warning to Iran, demanding an end to its support for the Houthis and threatening severe consequences if it continues.

"To Iran: Support for the Houthi terrorists must end IMMEDIATELY! Do NOT threaten the American People, their President, who has received one of the largest mandates in Presidential History, or Worldwide shipping lanes," he warned.

"If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable and, we won't be nice about it!" Trump added.