Donald Trump launches strikes against Yemen's Houthis over Red Sea ship attacks, killing at least 31 civilians

At least 31 civilians have been killed, according to the health ministry run by the Iran-backed group.

Sunday 16 March 2025 06:04, UK

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US airstrikes on Yemen have killed at least 31 people, according to the health ministry run by Houthi rebels.
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Donald Trump has launched strikes against the Houthis in Yemen.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, the US president also warned Iran that its support for the group must "end immediately".

The Iran-backed Houthis reported a series of explosions in Yemen's capital Sanaa on Saturday evening.

The Houthi-run health ministry said in a post on X that at least 31 civilians have been killed and 101 others injured, most of whom were children and women.

Smoke rises from an explosion after a projectile hit a group of buildings at an undisclosed location, after U.S. President Donald Trump launched military strikes against Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on Saturday over the group's attacks against Red Sea shipping, in this screengrab obtained from a handout video released on March 15, 2025. U.S. Central Command/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY
Image: Smoke rises from an explosion after a group of buildings are hit at an undisclosed location. Pic: US Central Command/Handout via Reuters

Images shared online show plumes of black smoke over the area of the city's airport complex, which includes a sprawling military facility.

Mr Trump said the strikes were over the group's attacks against ships in the Red Sea.

"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," he said.

The president said Iran would be held "fully accountable" for the actions of its proxy, adding: "And we won't be nice about it!"

A ship fires missiles at an undisclosed location, after U.S. President Donald Trump launched military strikes against Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on Saturday over the group's attacks against Red Sea shipping, in this screengrab obtained from a handout video released on March 15, 2025. U.S. Central Command/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY
Image: A US ship fires missiles at an undisclosed location. Pic: US Central Command/Handout via Reuters
A ship fires missiles at an undisclosed location, after U.S. President Donald Trump launched military strikes against Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on Saturday over the group's attacks against Red Sea shipping, in this screengrab obtained from a handout video released on March 15, 2025. U.S. Central Command/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY
Image: Pic: US Central Command/Handout via Reuters

The strikes come days after the Houthis said they would resume attacks on Israeli vessels sailing in waters off Yemen in response to Israel's blockade on Gaza, although there have been no Houthi attacks reported since then.

Earlier this month, Israel halted all aid coming into Gaza and warned of "additional consequences" for Hamas if their fragile ceasefire is not extended as negotiations continue over starting a second phase.

"The Houthi attack on American vessels will not be tolerated. We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective," Mr Trump wrote.

"These relentless assaults have cost the US and World Economy many BILLIONS of Dollars while, at the same time, putting innocent lives at risk."

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The Houthis launched more than 100 attacks targeting shipping from November 2023, saying they were in solidarity with Palestinians over Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza.

The US, Israel and Britain have previously hit Houthi-held areas in Yemen.

According to a US official, the operation - the first strike on the Houthis under the second Trump administration - was conducted solely by the US.

Read more from Sky News:
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Smoke rises from a location reportedly struck by US airstrikes. Pic: AP
Image: Smoke over the capital city of Sanaa. Pic: AP

The Houthi media office said the strikes hit "a residential neighbourhood" in Sanaa's northern district of Shouab.

Sanaa residents said at least four airstrikes hit the Eastern Geraf neighbourhood in the district, terrifying women and children in the area.

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"The explosions were very strong," said Abdallah al Alffi. "It was like an earthquake."

Similar missile strikes against the Houthis were done multiple times by Joe Biden's administration in response to frequent attacks by the Houthis against commercial and military vessels in the region.

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