US Defense Secretary: No Mercy in Striking Houthi Militants

Under President Trump’s orders, a number of US military aircraft were deployed from the USS Truman aircraft carrier on Saturday (March 15) to carry out large-scale airstrikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, stated on Sunday that the military strikes against the Houthi rebels would be relentless until they cease their attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea.

The Houthi ruling council has vowed to retaliate against the United States, declaring that their maritime attacks will continue until the blockade of Gaza by Israel is lifted.

Secretary of Defense Hegseth, in an interview with Fox News program “Sunday Morning Futures,” emphasized that the US airstrikes are aimed at ensuring “freedom of navigation and restoring deterrence.”

“We are entering an era where peace is achieved through strength,” Hegseth stated.

He further stressed that once the Houthi rebels declare, “We will stop firing at your ships, we will stop shooting down your drones,” the US airstrikes will cease. However, until that point, the US airstrikes will continue without mercy.

Hegseth asserted that freedom of navigation is a “core national interest” of the United States, and President Trump has vowed to restore it.

He also noted that the latest strikes against the Houthi rebels were a warning to their backers in Iran.

US Secretary of State Rubio, in an interview with CBS News program “Face the Nation,” stated that the US strikes against the Houthi rebels would not be a one-time event. These strikes aim to diminish their ability to continue disrupting maritime traffic.

“We will not allow armed individuals to dictate where our ships can go, nor where ships from around the world can navigate,” Rubio said. He highlighted that by preventing the Houthis from impeding global shipping, the US is not just acting in its own interest but aiding the world at large. “This is our mission, and until the mission is complete, we will continue to execute (the airstrikes).”

Rubio also underscored that without Iran’s support, the Houthi rebels would not have the capability to carry out such actions. Therefore, the US airstrikes also serve as a warning to Iran not to continue backing the Houthis, or else face consequences for their attacks on naval vessels and global shipping.

White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, in an interview on Fox News, described the US military’s airstrikes as successful.

“We targeted the leadership of the Houthi rebels, we eliminated key leaders last night, and destroyed their infrastructure and missiles,” Waltz said. “We hit them with overwhelming force. It’s a message to Iran – enough is enough.”

President Trump, on his social media platform “Truth Social,” stated he ordered the US military to conduct airstrikes on Houthi rebel bases, leaders, and missile defense systems.

The White House subsequently released photos on social media showing President Trump observing the US military’s airstrikes against the Houthi rebels. The White House also shared photos of Secretary of State Rubio and National Security Advisor Waltz.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) released a striking video on social media on Saturday night showing the airstrikes against the Houthi rebels.

Just days before Trump’s orders to strike the Houthis in Yemen, the rebel group had announced plans to resume attacks on Israeli ships passing through the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, the Strait of Mandeb, and the Gulf of Aden. The Houthi rebels began attacking ships in November 2023, including vessels unrelated to Israel, forcing international merchant ships to take longer routes, increasing transportation costs and time.