The U.S. launched strikes Saturday in Yemen as President Trump said the U.S. would use “overwhelming lethal force” until Houthis cease shipping attacks.
“Today, I have ordered the United States Military to launch decisive and powerful Military action against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen. They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones,” Mr. Trump wrote on social media.
He said the relentless assaults have cost the U.S. and global economy billions of dollars while putting innocent lives at risk. He also added that “your attacks must stop, starting today.”
At least 13 people were killed, and another nine were wounded as a result of the strikes, according to the Associated Press.
A U.S. official confirmed the strikes to CBS News Saturday and said the reports of strikes in Sana’a are just the start, according to the official.
Smoke rises from a location reportedly struck by U.S. airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Osamah Abdulrahman / AP
The strikes come days after Houthi rebels said earlier this week that they would resume attacks on Israeli ships in response to Israel’s blockage of aid to Gaza.
The Houthis, operating out of Yemen, have been backed, supplied and trained by Iran for years. After Hamas launched its deadly terrorist attack in Israel in October 2023, the terrorist group initially stated they would only shoot at ships linked to Israel, in support of the Palestinian people, but U.S. officials have said that the group has targeted ships that have no connection to Israel’s war.
The U.S., Israel and United Kingdom have previously hit Houthi-held areas in Yemen.
In January, days after he took office Mr. Trump designated the Houthis a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Former President Biden had removed the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2021 but then re-designated them as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in early 2024.
Anne Bryson and
contributed to this report.
Cara Tabachnick is a news editor at CBSNews.com. Cara began her career on the crime beat at Newsday. She has written for Marie Claire, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. She reports on justice and human rights issues. Contact her at cara.tabachnick@cbsinteractive.com