Washington DC [US], March 16 (HBTV): After US President Donald Trump ordered 'decisive' military action against Yemen's Houthis, US fighter jets launched their mission on Saturday (local time).
Visuals showed fighter jets taking off from an aircraft carrier.
Earlier in the day, Trump announced a 'decisive and powerful' military action against the Houthis, accusing them of piracy, violence, and terrorism targeting Americans.
'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,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform.
Trump stated that the US would use 'overwhelming lethal force' against the Houthis, accusing them of 'choking' transportation through the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden — key trade routes critical to global commerce.
'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 depend,' Trump said.
Criticising former President Joe Biden's response, Trump described it as 'pathetically weak,' claiming that Biden's inaction allowed the Houthis to continue their attacks.
'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,' Trump claimed.
Trump added that these attacks had inflicted significant economic costs, stating they had cost the US and world economy 'billions of dollars' while endangering innocent lives.
The US is now conducting 'aerial attacks on the terrorists' bases, leaders, and missile defenses to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore navigational freedom,' Trump said.
'No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the waterways of the world,' he added.
Trump also issued a warning to Iran, demanding an end to its support for the Houthis and threatening severe consequences if it continues.
'To Iran: 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,' Trump warned.
'If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable and we won't be nice about it!' Trump added. (ANI)