Trump ordered attack on militant positions in Yemen and warned Iran
Photo: Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump announced that on Saturday, the United States launched large-scale military strikes on dozens of targets in Yemen. He also signaled Iran about the possibility of reaching a deal, according to The New York Times and Trump's post on Truth Social.
This was the first salvo in what senior US officials have called a new offensive against the militants and a powerful signal to Iran, as Trump seeks to negotiate a nuclear deal with the Iranian government.
According to The New York Times, the air and sea strikes targeted radars, air defense systems, and missile and drone systems to reopen international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, which the Houthis have been disrupting for months with their attacks. The following statement regarding this decision has been published by Trump himself:
"Today, I have ordered the United States Military to launch decisive and powerful Military action against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen,” Mr. Trump said in a message on Truth Social. “They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones," as the statement follows.
He claimed that Joe Biden’s response was "pathetically weak", so the unrestrained Houthis just kept going.
"It has been over a year since a US-flagged commercial ship safely sailed through the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, or the Gulf of Aden. The last American Warship to go through the Red Sea, four months ago, was attacked by the Houthis over a dozen times. Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at US aircraft and targeted our Troops and Allies," resumed the US president.
Trump emphasized that these relentless assaults have cost the US and world economy many billions of dollars while, at the same time, putting innocent lives at risk.
"The Houthi attack on American vessels will not be tolerated. We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective. The Houthis have choked off shipping in one of the most important waterways of the world, grinding vast swaths of Global Commerce to a halt, and attacking the core principle of Freedom of Navigation upon which International Trade and Commerce depends," stated Donald Trump.
The President emphasized that US forces are carrying out airstrikes on terrorist bases, their leaders, and missile defense systems to protect American ships, air and naval forces, as well as to restore freedom of navigation.
"No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World. To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON’T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE," threatened the American leader.
Mr. Trump also specifically addressed Iran, urging them to immediately cease support for the Houthi terrorists: "Support for the Houthi terrorists must end IMMEDIATELY! Do NOT threaten the American People, their President, who has received one of the largest mandates in Presidential History, or Worldwide shipping lanes. If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable."
