‘They will never sink our ships again’: Trump posts dramatic Houthi airstrike video as U.S. bombs rebels daily

The United States has intensified its military campaign against the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group in Yemen, conducting daily airstrikes over the past three weeks in a renewed effort to neutralize the group’s ability to threaten maritime trade in the Red Sea. The latest escalation came into sharper focus on Friday when President Donald Trump posted an aerial video of a recent strike on his Truth Social account, declaring that the Houthis “will never sink our ships again.” The footage, which appeared to show a group of armed fighters gathering before being hit by a precision-guided munition, was accompanied by Trump’s assertion that the rebels had assembled to plan an attack.

The Houthi rebels, formally known as Ansar Allah, have claimed responsibility for a series of escalating attacks against U.S. Navy vessels and commercial ships since early March. These attacks, according to multiple intelligence sources, are part of a broader campaign backed by Tehran to disrupt Western influence and supply chains in the region. Trump’s administration has responded by launching sustained airstrikes aimed at dismantling the Houthis’ offensive capabilities and pressuring their Iranian sponsors.

What triggered the latest escalation in Houthi–U.S. conflict?

Tensions flared in late March when the Houthis launched coordinated missile strikes targeting U.S. warships, including the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, in the Red Sea. The rebels also shot down three MQ-9 Reaper drones between March 3 and April 1, dealing a tactical blow to American reconnaissance efforts. These moves followed earlier threats made by the group after Israel restricted humanitarian aid into Gaza, a move that triggered regional condemnation and renewed militant activity.

Though the Houthis have framed their actions as a show of solidarity with Palestinians, U.S. officials argue that their targets suggest a calculated campaign focused on disrupting Western commercial and military activity. Interestingly, shipping analysts and defense observers have noted that the group has deliberately avoided attacking Chinese and Saudi Arabian vessels, underscoring the selective nature of their engagement. That pattern has fueled further suspicion of Iranian coordination behind the scenes.

How is the Trump administration responding to Houthi drone and missile attacks?

In a post on Truth Social earlier this week, Trump said the Houthis had been “decimated” by the “relentless strikes” carried out over the past 20 days. According to him, many Houthi “fighters and leaders” have been eliminated, and their capacity to disrupt regional trade is being “rapidly destroyed.” He also reinforced the administration’s red line: “Stop shooting at U.S. ships, and we will stop shooting at you.”

This tit-for-tat rhetoric underscores a broader strategic goal—to ensure freedom of navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint for global maritime trade connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. With roughly 10% of global trade passing through this region, any prolonged disruption could have far-reaching consequences for oil markets, supply chains, and geopolitical stability.

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz told CBS’ “Face the Nation” that the Houthis possess capabilities far beyond typical insurgent groups. He described them as akin to “al Qaeda or ISIS with advanced cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and sophisticated air defenses—all provided by Iran.” Waltz stressed that securing sea lanes was central to U.S. national security.

What sanctions has the U.S. imposed on the Houthis and their financial networks?

The Biden and Trump administrations alike have leveraged financial sanctions to curtail Houthi funding and procurement operations. Following the downing of the first U.S. Reaper drone in early March, the U.S. State Department introduced sanctions targeting entities involved in the rebels’ illicit finance networks. Earlier this week, further sanctions were announced against individuals and companies allegedly acting as financial facilitators and procurement operatives for the Houthis.

These measures, part of a broader effort to isolate the rebels economically, aim to sever the logistical lifelines that sustain their war-making capabilities. The targeted financial crackdown complements the aerial campaign by attempting to choke off access to critical components such as drone parts, missile guidance systems, and telecommunications gear that have been traced back to Iranian sources.

Why does Iran support the Houthis, and what risks does it pose to regional stability?

Iran’s support for the Houthi movement dates back to at least 2014, when the group seized control of Yemen’s capital, Sana’a. Tehran views the Houthis as a strategic proxy in its effort to expand influence across the Middle East, positioning the group as a southern front in the broader geopolitical struggle against Saudi Arabia and the United States.

While Iran officially denies direct involvement, intercepted weapons shipments and intelligence findings suggest otherwise. Military-grade drones, advanced anti-ship missiles, and surface-to-air systems found in Houthi arsenals have raised alarms in Western defense circles. According to the United Nations Panel of Experts on Yemen, much of the equipment matches Iranian design and serial numbers.

The potential for a broader regional conflict remains high. Trump has warned that if the attacks continue, “Washington will come for Tehran next,” in what could be interpreted as a veiled threat of direct confrontation. Such an escalation could draw in other Gulf nations, strain global energy supplies, and further destabilize an already volatile region.

How have past U.S. administrations handled the Houthi threat?

The Houthi insurgency has challenged successive U.S. administrations. Under President Barack Obama, the U.S. offered intelligence and logistical support to the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis. During Joe Biden‘s first term, his administration attempted a diplomatic approach by removing the Houthis from the Foreign Terrorist Organization list in an effort to facilitate peace talks—a move that critics argued emboldened the group.

The Trump administration has now pivoted to a more aggressive stance. While Trump was previously skeptical of prolonged military involvement in the Middle East, his administration’s current actions suggest a prioritization of maritime security over diplomatic overtures. The air campaign, though successful in neutralizing some Houthi assets, also risks exacerbating Yemen’s humanitarian crisis—an issue that human rights organizations are closely monitoring.

What does this mean for maritime trade and global shipping security?

The strategic importance of the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait cannot be overstated. These waters serve as a vital artery for global oil shipments, goods transportation, and naval operations. Insurance premiums for commercial vessels navigating the region have surged due to security threats, increasing costs for shipping companies and, by extension, consumers worldwide.

If the Houthi threat is not neutralized, there is a risk of long-term disruption to global shipping routes, forcing rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope and delaying deliveries by weeks. This has implications for inflation, supply chain reliability, and energy markets, particularly in Europe and Asia.

Trump’s forceful messaging and willingness to escalate militarily appear aimed at reassuring allies and deterring further attacks. However, the durability of this approach remains uncertain. Without a diplomatic off-ramp or regional de-escalation, the risk of a drawn-out conflict looms.

The latest developments also come at a time of heightened geopolitical sensitivity, with multiple flashpoints in the Middle East competing for attention. The situation in Yemen, long overshadowed by conflicts in Syria and Gaza, has once again taken centre stage, with the Red Sea emerging as a critical front in the contest for regional power.