CITIZENS NEWS

Trump vows “total annihilation” of Houthis as U.S. airstrikes pound Yemen

By isabelle // 2025-03-21

• President Trump warned Houthi rebels of "total annihilation" if they continue attacks on shipping and Israeli targets.
• U.S. airstrikes in Yemen have killed 53+ people, including civilians, but Houthis remain defiant, vowing escalation.
• Houthis justify their actions as solidarity with Gaza, citing Israel’s blockade and military campaign.
• Trump accuses Iran of arming Houthis, though experts question direct Iranian involvement.
• Humanitarian concerns grow as U.S. strikes target residential areas, risking further regional instability and civilian casualties.

President Trump issued a dire warning to Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Wednesday, vowing their “total annihilation” if they continue their attacks on shipping and Israeli targets. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have intensified their campaign in solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. However, Trump’s response—a relentless bombing campaign targeting Houthi strongholds—has drawn criticism for its heavy-handed approach, even as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens. The U.S. airstrikes, which began last weekend, have already killed at least 53 people, including women and children, and wounded dozens more. Despite the devastation, the Houthis remain defiant, vowing to meet “escalation with escalation” and continuing their attacks on U.S. and Israeli interests. The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, have framed their actions as a response to Israel’s blockade of Gaza and its military campaign, which has killed thousands of Palestinians. The group paused its attacks during a brief Gaza ceasefire in January but resumed them after Israel violated the truce and tightened its blockade on humanitarian aid. “The Yemeni Armed Forces affirm that the US aggression will not deter the steadfast and struggling Yemen from fulfilling its religious, moral, and humanitarian duties toward the Palestinian people,” the Houthis said in a statement. While the Houthis’ solidarity with Gaza has garnered some sympathy in the Arab world, their methods—targeting commercial shipping and launching missiles—have been widely condemned. Critics argue that such actions exacerbate regional instability and harm innocent civilians.

Trump’s hardline stance and Iran’s role

Trump has repeatedly blamed Iran for supporting the Houthis, despite U.S. officials acknowledging that the group operates independently and has its own weapons production capabilities. In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump accused Iran of supplying the Houthis with military equipment and demanded an immediate halt. “Iran must stop the sending of these Supplies IMMEDIATELY,” he wrote. “Let the Houthis fight it out themselves. Either way they lose, but this way they lose quickly.” However, experts note that while Iran aligns politically with the Houthis, its direct involvement in arming the group is difficult to prove. The Houthis have developed their own missile and drone capabilities, making them a resilient force despite years of U.S.-backed Saudi airstrikes from 2015 to 2022.

Humanitarian concerns deepen

The latest U.S. bombing campaign has targeted Houthi-controlled areas, including the capital, Sanaa, and the northwestern stronghold of Saada. Local reports indicate that residential areas have been hit, raising concerns about civilian casualties. Al Masirah TV, a Houthi-run outlet, reported that seven women and two children were wounded in one strike. The humanitarian toll of the conflict is staggering. A UN-brokered ceasefire between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia in 2022 brought a temporary reprieve, but U.S. sanctions and renewed airstrikes threaten to derail peace efforts. The previous war, which killed over 377,000 people—many from starvation and disease—underscores the potential for further catastrophe. While Trump’s threats of “total annihilation” may resonate with his base, they risk inflaming an already volatile region. The Houthis have proven their resilience, and their attacks are unlikely to cease without a lasting resolution to the crisis in Gaza. Critics argue that addressing the root cause — Israel’s blockade and military campaign — is essential to de-escalating tensions. Sources for this article include: News.Antiwar.com APNews.com AlJazeera.com

Iran Israel genocide Trump airstrikes Yemen Houthis