The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, are an armed political and religious group representing Yemen’s Zaidi Shia minority. They align with Iran’s ‘axis of resistance’ against Israel, the US and the West, alongside Hamas and Hezbollah. 

The US airstrikes targeted Houthi-controlled areas, including Sanaa, Saada, Dhamar and Abs and Eastern Geraf. The airstrike operation carried out by the US involved ‘USS Harry S Truman carrier strike group’, a fleet of Navy destroyers, a cruiser and the USS Georgia missile submarine. 

Source: reuters 

Trump announced on twitter, "To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP." He said the Houthis have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence and terrorism against America. Trump added that ‘our brave warfighters are carrying out aerial attacks on the terrorists’ bases, leaders and missile defences to protect American shipping, air and naval assets and to restore navigational freedom.’ 

The Houthis began their attacks on shipping containers in response to Israel’s war on Gaza in 2023 in defence of the Palestinians. They reiterated that the “naval operation will continue until the Gaza blockade is lifted and aid is let in. 

The leader of the Houthi movement, Abdul Malik al Houthi said “We will respond to the American enemy with missile strikes and targeting its warships and naval vessels, stating that they have decided to “threaten Israeli shipping to pressure the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip”. Houthis called the US airstrikes an act of aggression. They denied that their actions threaten international shipping and reaffirmed their support for Gaza.