WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) 鈥 President Donald Trump said he ordered a series of airstrikes on Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on Saturday, promising to use 鈥渙verwhelming lethal force鈥 until Iranian-backed Houthi rebels cease their attacks on shipping along a vital maritime corridor. The Houthis said nine civilians were killed.
鈥淥ur brave Warfighters are right now carrying out aerial attacks on the terrorists鈥 bases, leaders, and missile defenses to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore Navigational Freedom,鈥 Trump said in a social media post. 鈥淣o terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World.鈥
He also warned Iran to , promising to hold the country 鈥渇ully accountable鈥 for the actions of its proxy. It comes two weeks after the U.S leader sent a letter to Iranian leaders offering a path to restarting bilateral talks between the countries on Iran鈥檚 advancing nuclear weapons program that Trump has said he will not allow to become operational.
The Houthis reported a series of explosions in their territory Saturday evening. Images circulating online showed plumes of black smoke over the area of the Sanaa airport complex, which includes a sprawling military facility.
At least nine people were killed, said Anees al-Asbahi, spokesman for the Houthi-run health ministry. In a statement on social media, he said another nine were wounded.
Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, said the airstrikes won鈥檛 deter them and they would retaliate against the U.S. 鈥淪anaa will remain Gaza鈥檚 shield and support and will not abandon it no matter the challenges,鈥 he added on social media.
The airstrikes come a few days after the on Israeli vessels sailing in waters off Yemen in response to Israel鈥檚 blockade on Gaza. There have been no Houthi attacks reported since then.
Earlier this month, Israel halted all aid coming into Gaza and warned of 鈥渁dditional consequences鈥 for if their in the war isn鈥檛 extended as negotiations continue over starting a second phase.
The Houthis had described their warning as taking hold in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Arabian Sea.
The Houthis targeted over 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, and killing four sailors, during their campaign targeting military and civilian ships between the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in late 2023 and January of this year, when a tenuous ceasefire in Gaza took effect.
The attacks raised the Houthis鈥 profile as they faced economic problems and launched a crackdown targeting dissent and aid workers at home amid Yemen鈥檚 decade-long stalemated war that鈥檚 torn apart the Arab world鈥檚 poorest nation.
The Houthi media office said the U.S. strikes hit 鈥渁 residential neighborhood鈥 in Sanaa鈥檚 northern district of Shouab. Sanaa residents said at least four airstrikes rocked the Eastern Geraf neighborhood in Shouab district, terrifying women and children in the area.
鈥淭he explosions were very strong,鈥 said Abdallah al-Alffi. 鈥淚t was like an earthquake.鈥
The United States, Israel and Britain have previously hit Houthi-held areas in Yemen. Israel鈥檚 military declined to comment.
Saturday's operation against the Houthis was conducted solely by the U.S., according to a U.S. official. It was the first strike on the Yemen-based Houthis under the second Trump administration, and it comes after a period of relative quiet in the region.
Such broad-based and pre-planned missile strikes against the Houthis were done multiple times by the Biden administration in response to frequent attacks by the Houthis against commercial and military vessels in the region.
The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, which includes the carrier, three Navy destroyers and one cruiser, are in the Red Sea and were part of the mission. The USS Georgia cruise missile submarine has also been operating in the region.
Trump announced the strikes as he spent the day at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
鈥淭hese relentless assaults have cost the U.S. and World Economy many BILLIONS of Dollars while, at the same time, putting innocent lives at risk,鈥 Trump said.
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Baldor reported from Washington and Magdy reported from Cairo. AP White House Correspondent Zeke Miller contributed from Washington.
