US Military Campaign Against Houthi Rebels Intensifies
Defense Secretary signals ongoing and escalating military operations against Yemen's Houthi group amid regional tensions.
The United States military campaign focused on Yemen’s Houthi rebels is set to escalate, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
In statements made during a press briefing following a meeting between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hegseth emphasized that the US strikes, which commenced last month, have had a significant impact on the Houthi military leadership.
The Houthis control a substantial portion of Yemen and have been implicated in disrupting international trade routes, particularly through assaults on vessels traversing the Red Sea.
Hegseth indicated that the US is committed to an unyielding military strategy against the Houthis, targeting a range of assets, including underground facilities, weapons manufacturing sites, bunkers, and air defense systems.
He described the situation as having been detrimental for the Houthis in recent weeks and implied that further military actions are forthcoming.
The defense presence has been underscored by the confirmation of recent airstrikes near the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, resulting in civilian casualties, according to reports from Houthi sources.
These strikes are part of what US officials have described as a coordinated effort to degrade the Houthi capabilities and diminish their influence in the region.
This military initiative has also faced scrutiny due to revelations regarding communications among US officials using encrypted platforms, where details of operations were inadvertently exposed to a journalist.
Despite the concerns raised by this incident, Hegseth highlighted the effectiveness of the current military measures and the US's ongoing campaign.
Additionally, US officials have directed explicit warnings to Iran, the Houthi rebels' main ally, urging the cessation of their support for the group.
Hegseth reinforced that these communications have been clear and unambiguous.
The Houthis, in response to the conflict dynamics, have asserted that their military activities in the Red Sea will cease in conjunction with an end to Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip.
In statements made during a press briefing following a meeting between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hegseth emphasized that the US strikes, which commenced last month, have had a significant impact on the Houthi military leadership.
The Houthis control a substantial portion of Yemen and have been implicated in disrupting international trade routes, particularly through assaults on vessels traversing the Red Sea.
Hegseth indicated that the US is committed to an unyielding military strategy against the Houthis, targeting a range of assets, including underground facilities, weapons manufacturing sites, bunkers, and air defense systems.
He described the situation as having been detrimental for the Houthis in recent weeks and implied that further military actions are forthcoming.
The defense presence has been underscored by the confirmation of recent airstrikes near the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, resulting in civilian casualties, according to reports from Houthi sources.
These strikes are part of what US officials have described as a coordinated effort to degrade the Houthi capabilities and diminish their influence in the region.
This military initiative has also faced scrutiny due to revelations regarding communications among US officials using encrypted platforms, where details of operations were inadvertently exposed to a journalist.
Despite the concerns raised by this incident, Hegseth highlighted the effectiveness of the current military measures and the US's ongoing campaign.
Additionally, US officials have directed explicit warnings to Iran, the Houthi rebels' main ally, urging the cessation of their support for the group.
Hegseth reinforced that these communications have been clear and unambiguous.
The Houthis, in response to the conflict dynamics, have asserted that their military activities in the Red Sea will cease in conjunction with an end to Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip.
