The Pentagon vowed to conduct “continuous operations 24/7” against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on Saturday after President Donald Trump shared a video on Truth Social that purportedly shows a deadly U.S. airstrike on the group.
The footage appears to coincide with suspected U.S. airstrikes in the northern Yemeni city of Saada earlier in the day. Houthi officials reported that the attack killed two people and wounded nine others, though the video shared by Trump seems to show dozens of people gathered together before an apparent explosion, the Washington Times reported.
“These Houthis gathered for instructions on an attack. Oops, there will be no attack by these Houthis!” the president posted. “They will never sink our ships again!”
Warning: Graphic violence
These Houthis gathered for instructions on an attack. Oops, there will be no attack by these Houthis!
They will never sink our ships again! pic.twitter.com/lEzfyDgWP5
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 4, 2025
No Houthi attacks have sunk any U.S. vessels, though American warships have been targeted many times over the past few years.
In a social media post, U.S. Central Command did not share the same footage as President Trump but released new video from the Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, which CENTCOM said is “launching continuous operations 24/7 against Iran-backed Houthis.”
The Trump administration has carried out a series of airstrikes against the Houthis in recent weeks. Officials stated that there have been more than 200 strikes since March 15, although details about most of these strikes remain unclear, the Times reported.
The attacks on the Houthis, who are financially and logistically supported by Iran, are part of the Trump administration’s strategy to pressure Tehran while seeking a deal to limit Iran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program.
U.S. operations against the Houthis, combined with Israeli military actions against other Iran-backed proxy groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, are components of a broader campaign aimed at applying pressure on Iran.
The Pentagon has recently deployed additional military assets to the region. Along with the Truman Carrier Strike Group, defense officials announced last week that the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, currently in the Indo-Pacific, is set to head to the Middle East soon.
Additionally, The Associated Press reported—citing satellite images—that at least six nuclear-capable B-2 Spirit bombers have been sent to the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, the Times added.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have targeted over 100 ships—including U.S. military vessels—with missiles and drones. The Trump administration has cautioned Iran that it could face direct military action if it continues to support the Houthis, who are integral to Iran’s broader “axis of resistance” throughout the region.
Last month, Trump ordered massive strikes against the Houthis in Yemen while also issuing a warning to their patrons in Iran.
“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,” the president said.
“Joe Biden’s response was pathetically weak, so the unrestrained Houthis just kept going. It has been over a year since a U.S. 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 U.S. aircraft, and targeted our Troops and Allies. These relentless assaults have cost the U.S. and World Economy many BILLIONS of Dollars while, at the same time, putting innocent lives at risk,” he said.
“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,” Trump added.