Kochi: The US made air strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen in retribution to the militant outfit’s attack on shipping in the Red Sea as the reason, BBC reported.
“Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at US aircraft, and targeted our Troops and Allies,” US President Trump wrote on his Truth social platform.
“Their “piracy, violence, and terrorism” had cost “billions of dollars” and put lives at risk,” he said.
Trump said, “… We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective.”
The Houthis said at least 15 people were killed and nine others injured in the strikes.
The Houthis, which began targeting shipping following the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, said its forces would respond to US strikes.
“End support for Israeli genocide and terrorism,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X on Sunday.
The Houthis have targeted vessels and other maritime transports with missiles, drones and small boat attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November 2023.
They have sunk two vessels, seized a third, and killed four crew members.
The Houtis have not been deterred by the deployment of Western warships to protect merchant vessels.
Israel has also carried out air strikes against the Houthis in retaliation to the Houthis firing 400 missiles and drones.
Many shipping companies stopped using the Red Sea – through which almost 15% of global seaborne trade usually passes.
Photo: X