President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered a series of airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen on Saturday, vowing to apply “overwhelming lethal force” until the Iranian-backed rebels cease attacks on shipping along a key maritime route. The Houthis claimed at least 18 civilians were killed. “Our brave Warfighters are currently conducting aerial assaults on terrorist bases, leaders, and missile defences to safeguard American shipping, air, and naval assets and to restore Navigational Freedom,” Trump stated on social media. “No terrorist force will prevent American commercial and naval vessels from freely navigating the Waterways of the World.” He also warned Iran against supporting the rebels, pledging to hold Tehran “fully accountable” for its proxy’s actions. This comes two weeks after Trump sent a letter to Iranian leaders proposing a pathway to resuming bilateral talks on Iran’s advancing nuclear programme. Trump has maintained he will not allow it to become operational. The Houthis reported explosions in their territory on Saturday evening, including in the capital, Sanaa, and in the northern province of Saada, the group’s stronghold near the Saudi border. Additional airstrikes were reported in these areas early Sunday. Online images showed plumes of black smoke rising over Sanaa’s airport complex, which houses a large military facility. Strikes were also reported in Hodeida, Bayda, and Marib provinces. Trump admin considers travel ban on 43 countries According to the Houthi-run health ministry, at least 18 people were killed—13 in Sanaa and five in Saada—while 24 others were wounded, including nine in Sanaa and 15 in Saada. A U.S. official confirmed the airstrikes mark the beginning of a sustained campaign targeting Houthi positions. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the strikes would continue. Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, asserted that the attacks would not weaken them and vowed retaliation against the U.S. “Sanaa will remain Gaza’s shield and support and will not abandon it, regardless of the challenges,” he posted on social media. Another spokesman, Mohamed Abdulsalam, dismissed Trump’s assertion that the Houthis pose a threat to international shipping, calling the claims “false and misleading” on X. The airstrikes come days after the Houthis announced they would resume attacks on Israeli vessels near Yemen in response to Israel’s latest blockade on Gaza. They warned that their actions would impact the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Arabian Sea. Since then, no Houthi attacks have been reported. Earlier this month, Israel halted all aid into Gaza and warned of “additional consequences” for Hamas if the fragile ceasefire in the conflict is not extended, as negotiations continue on the next phase. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in late 2023, the Houthis have targeted over 100 merchant ships with missiles and drones, sinking two vessels and killing four sailors. These attacks, which persisted until the Gaza ceasefire in January, heightened the Houthis’ visibility amid ongoing economic and political challenges in Yemen’s decade-long war. The Houthi media office reported that U.S. strikes hit a residential area in Sanaa’s northern Shouab district. Residents described at least four powerful airstrikes in the Eastern Geraf neighbourhood, alarming civilians. “The explosions were intense,” said Abdallah al-Alffi. “It felt like an earthquake.” The Eastern Geraf district contains Houthi-held military installations and the rebels’ political bureau headquarters, located in a densely populated area. Fresh strikes were also reported late Saturday in Yemen’s southwestern Dhamar province. The Houthis said the attacks targeted the outskirts of Dhamar city and the district of Abs. The U.S., Israel, and Britain have previously launched strikes on Houthi-held territories in Yemen. Israel’s military declined to comment. However, Saturday’s operation was conducted exclusively by the U.S., according to an American official. It marks the first U.S. strike on the Houthis under Trump’s second administration. The Biden administration had previously launched similar missile strikes in response to frequent Houthi attacks on commercial and military vessels in the region. The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, comprising the aircraft carrier, three Navy destroyers, and a cruiser, participated in Saturday’s mission. The USS Georgia cruise missile submarine has also been active in the region. Tensions between Iran and US rise as Trump sends letter to supreme leader Trump announced the strikes while spending the day at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. “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,” he said.