The United States launched a series of airstrikes on March 15 against Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen, intensifying an already volatile situation in the Red Sea. The operation, conducted by F/A-18E/F Super Hornets from the USS Harry S. Truman, targeted weapons storage facilities and command centers linked to recent Houthi attacks on commercial and military vessels in the region.
The strikes mark a significant escalation in U.S. military action against the Iran-backed Houthis, who have increasingly threatened global trade routes and U.S. naval assets. The move also raises the specter of broader regional conflict, as Washington signals its resolve to counter threats to international shipping lanes.
The F/A-18E/F Super Hornets used in the operation are among the most advanced multirole fighters in the U.S. arsenal, capable of both air-to-air combat and precision ground strikes. Armed with Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) and AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARMs), these jets carried out a series of high-precision strikes designed to cripple the Houthis’ ability to launch further attacks.
- Weapons storage depots housing ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones.
- Command and control centers coordinating Houthi operations in the Red Sea.
- Radar and air defense installations used to track and engage U.S. and allied naval forces.
U.S. officials stated the strikes were carefully planned to minimize civilian casualties while delivering a decisive blow to Houthi military capabilities.
“This operation was a direct response to repeated attacks on international shipping and our forces in the region,” said U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in a statement. “We will continue to take necessary actions to defend freedom of navigation and protect global trade.”
Less than 24 hours after the U.S. airstrikes, the Houthis retaliated with a large-scale attack on the USS Harry S. Truman in the northern Red Sea. The assault involved 18 ballistic and cruise missiles, alongside multiple drones, aimed at overwhelming the aircraft carrier’s defenses.
Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree declared the attack a direct response to the U.S. strikes. “The Yemeni Armed Forces will not hesitate to target all American warships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea in retaliation for the aggression against our country,” he said in a televised statement.
U.S. Navy officials confirmed that the carrier’s advanced missile defense systems intercepted the incoming threats, preventing any significant damage. However, the scale of the attack underscored the Houthis’ growing military capability, fueled in large part by Iranian weaponry.
Pentagon sources indicated that while the attack was repelled, it demonstrated the persistent threat posed by the Houthis and reinforced the need for continued military action.
U.S. intelligence has long pointed to Iran as the primary supplier of advanced weaponry to the Houthis, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and loitering munitions. The latest strikes were partially aimed at disrupting this supply chain, though Tehran has denied direct involvement in the Houthi attacks.
“The United States government has no authority or business dictating Iranian foreign policy,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in response to the strikes. He accused Washington of escalating the conflict rather than seeking a diplomatic resolution.
Despite Iran’s denials, military analysts argue that the Houthis’ sophisticated arsenal strongly suggests external support. Over the past year, U.S. and allied naval forces have intercepted multiple arms shipments believed to be headed from Iran to Yemen, carrying components for drones, missiles, and other weaponry.
“Iran’s fingerprints are all over this,” said retired U.S. Admiral James Stavridis. “The Houthis’ ability to launch coordinated missile and drone attacks at this scale would be nearly impossible without Tehran’s backing.”
The U.S. response to Houthi aggression has drawn mixed reactions from global powers. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to both the Houthis and Iran, signaling that further provocations would be met with overwhelming force.
“Hell will rain down on them if they don’t stop,” Trump said in a televised statement. “America will hold you fully accountable, and we won’t be nice about it.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced the administration’s stance, stating on CBS: “We’re not going to have these people controlling which ships can go through and which ones cannot. This will go on until they no longer have the capability to do that.”
Meanwhile, China has urged de-escalation, warning against further military action in the Red Sea. “China opposes any action that escalates the situation,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said during a press briefing. “The reasons behind the situation in the Red Sea and the Yemen issue are complex and should be properly resolved through dialogue and negotiation.”
Russia has similarly called for diplomatic efforts to ease tensions, though it has refrained from directly criticizing the U.S. airstrikes.
The ongoing Houthi attacks have had severe consequences for global trade. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, through which nearly 10% of the world’s oil shipments pass, has been a focal point of Houthi aggression. Their repeated missile and drone strikes on commercial vessels have forced shipping companies to reroute their fleets, increasing costs and causing supply chain disruptions.
Since October 2023, the Houthis have launched:
- 174 attacks on U.S. Navy ships
- 145 attacks on commercial vessels
Their actions have primarily targeted Israeli-linked vessels, with the group justifying its campaign as a form of solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The Houthis imposed an unofficial blockade, declaring that Israeli-linked ships were “banned” from the Red Sea.
A temporary ceasefire in January 2024 briefly reduced hostilities, but Houthi attacks resumed after Israel reimposed a blockade on Gaza in February.
“The Houthis are using commercial shipping as leverage in a broader regional struggle,” said Dr. Emily Harding, a security analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “Their actions are not just about Yemen but are tied to Iranian influence, the Gaza conflict, and broader U.S.-Iran tensions.”
The U.S. has signaled that further military action is on the table if Houthi aggression continues. At the same time, diplomatic efforts are ongoing, with the United Nations and European allies pushing for renewed negotiations to prevent further escalation.
“The goal must be de-escalation, not prolonged conflict,” said U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg. “The humanitarian situation in Yemen remains dire, and continued airstrikes will only worsen conditions for civilians.”
However, with the Houthis showing no signs of backing down and the U.S. determined to secure Red Sea trade routes, the crisis is far from over. The coming weeks will likely determine whether the situation escalates into a broader conflict or shifts toward a negotiated settlement.
