The Pentagon Logo, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense and the center of US military operations,(Photo: Getty Images)
Pentagon warns of decisive military response against Houthis
The Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense and the center of US military operations, has warned Houthi militants that the US will continue using "overwhelming, lethal force" until they cease attacks on American warships protecting commercial vessels off Yemen’s coast.
In his first briefing as Pentagon spokesman, Sean Parnell stressed that the US remains committed to safeguarding vital shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
NEWS: U.S. Punches Back at Iran-Backed Houthi Terrorists in Yemen https://t.co/MWh8qZBbJ1
— Department of Defense (@DeptofDefense) March 18, 2025
Since October 2023, the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, have targeted "Israeli"-bound commercial vessels with drones and missiles, to act in support of Palestinians amid "Israel’s" military operations in Gaza.
In response, the US Navy has bolstered its presence to protect global trade routes.
President Donald Trump reinforced the warning on Saturday, threatening "powerful military action" to ensure freedom of navigation.
On Monday, Parnell detailed the scale of the Houthi threat, stating the group had launched at least 170 attacks on US Navy ships and 145 on commercial vessels. "This operation will end the moment the Houthis pledge to stop attacking our ships and endangering American lives," he said.
The US has already launched targeted airstrikes. Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich confirmed that initial strikes hit over 30 sites in Yemen, including training camps, drone infrastructure, weapons depots, and command centers.
Trump also linked the Houthi attacks to Iran, warning that any future assault by the group would be treated as an Iranian act of aggression. “Iran will be held responsible and suffer dire consequences,” he wrote on Truth Social. Tehran denied involvement, condemning US airstrikes as a violation of the UN Charter and a threat to regional stability.
Despite US military actions, the Houthis vowed to continue targeting vessels until humanitarian aid reaches Gaza. As tensions escalate, the US has made clear that its campaign will persist until the Houthis halt their attacks, with broader geopolitical consequences on the horizon.
