Donald Trump makes chilling threat to Houthi rebels as US launches airstrikes on Iran
Donald Trump has levelled a chilling threat at Houthi rebels this evening while authorising the US Army to unleash a string of airstrikes.
During his latest post on Truth Social, the US President promised to use “overwhelming lethal force” on the Iran-backed rebel group following attacks on American vessels carrying product through a vital shipping corridor. Houthi representatives claimed nine civilians were killed in the attacks, and Mr Trump furiously vowed to respond in his strongly-worded social media post.
He said in his characteristically all-caps laden post that he had authorised “aerial attacks on the terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defenses”. Mr Trump wrote: “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. He added: “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.
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“Our brave Warfighters are right 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.”
The airstrikes come after Houthis pledged to continue attacks on Israeli vessels sailing in waters off Yemen in response to the country’s UN-condemned aid blockade on Gaza. Israel halted all aid coming into Gaza earlier this month and warned “additional consequences” could follow for Hamas if the shaky ceasefire agreed in January did not hold.
Netanyahu said at the time that Israel had chosen the move “because Hamas steals the supplies and prevents the people of Gaza from getting them”. The Israeli prime minister added: “It uses these supplies to finance its terror machine, which is aimed directly at Israel and our civilians, and this we cannot accept.”
Nasruddin Amer, the deputy head of the Houthi media office, said they would not be deterred by new airstrikes and would retaliate against American interventions. He said in a post on social media: “Sanaa will remain Gaza’s shield and support and will not abandon it no matter the challenges.”
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