Tensions in the Middle East have escalated dramatically after the Houthis launched a massive missile and drone attack on a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Red Sea. The strike, which occurred on Sunday, came just one day after President Donald Trump ordered extensive airstrikes on Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen.
Houthis Retaliate with Missile Barrage
The Iranian-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, stating they fired 18 ballistic and cruise missiles, along with multiple drones, targeting the USS Harry S. Truman and its accompanying warships. The strikes were framed as a direct response to more than 47 U.S. airstrikes on rebel-held areas, including Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and the northern province of Saada.
Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesman, warned that the Yemeni Armed Forces would continue to strike American warships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. “We will not hesitate to retaliate against aggression,” he declared.
A Dangerous Escalation in the Red Sea
The conflict between the U.S. and the Houthis has reached a new level, with both sides warning of further attacks. The U.S. military launched airstrikes in an effort to deter Houthi aggression in one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes. However, the rebels have vowed to continue targeting international shipping, claiming their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
For months, the Houthis have attacked cargo ships in the Red Sea, even sinking two vessels. Their attacks briefly stopped after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on January 19—one day before Trump’s return to office. However, last week, the Houthis resumed their assaults on Israeli-linked ships following Israel’s blockade of Gaza, which has restricted humanitarian aid.
U.S. Response: “We Will Neutralize Their Capability”
In a televised interview, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear that Washington would not allow the Houthis to control the Red Sea’s shipping routes. “This will continue until they no longer have the capability to threaten global trade,” he said, emphasizing that Trump’s military campaign would be different from the Biden administration’s limited strikes.
Trump has taken an even tougher stance, vowing to use “overwhelming lethal force” until the Houthis are no longer a threat. He also warned Iran that his administration would hold them “fully accountable” for the actions of their regional proxies, including the Houthis.
However, Iran has denied any involvement in the Houthi missile attacks. General Hossein Salami, head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, stated that Tehran does not dictate operational decisions to its allied groups.
Heavy Civilian Casualties in Yemen
While the U.S. airstrikes targeted Houthi military infrastructure, Yemen’s Houthi-run health ministry reported that at least 53 people were killed, including five women and two children. Over 100 others were wounded, with more than a dozen critically injured in Sanaa and Saada.
These latest U.S. attacks are among the most extensive military operations against the Houthis since the Israel-Gaza war began in October 2023.
With both sides vowing further retaliation, the situation in the Red Sea remains explosive. Could this conflict spiral into a wider war?
