Warning: This article contains graphic images which some readers may find distressing
Donald Trump has made public drone footage of a recent airstrike conducted by the US Central Command on Western Yemen, targeting what he describes as ‘Houthis rebels’.
On March 15, Trump announced that he had directed ‘decisive and powerful’ military strikes against the Iranian-backed group. He accused the Houthis of engaging in an ‘unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones’ due to their attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes.
Trump issued a stern warning to the Houthis: “YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON’T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!”
The US President has followed through on his threats, sharing footage of the attack targeting ‘the Houthis’ on Truth Social.
In the footage, shared by Trump, a black and white video appears to show a drone’s perspective looking down on a group of individuals standing in a circle on a piece of land.
The video captures a target lock on the group, followed by a massive explosion with smoke rising into the sky, making it difficult to discern any individuals on the ground afterward.
Trump captioned the video with: “These Houthis gathered for instructions on an attack. Oops, there will be no attack by these Houthis!
“They will never sink our ships again!”
The White House also reposted the footage on its Twitter account.
According to an April 2 report by Al Jazeera, the airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 60 people.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, has criticized the US for its forceful actions against the Yemeni people.
In a statement, he denounced Trump’s actions as a ‘gross violation of the principles of the UN Charter’ and expressed strong condemnation of the ‘brutal air strikes by the US’.
Additionally, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the attack, asserting that the Trump administration has ‘no authority’ to dictate Iran’s foreign policy.
However, Trump has also issued a warning to those who ‘support’ the Houthis.
In a Truth Social post, he stated: “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.
“If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable and, we won’t be nice about it!”
The rebels have responded to Trump’s ‘escalation’, declaring on national television their readiness to retaliate against the US.
Through a statement on their Al-Masirah TV station, established by the Houthi movement, they declared: “Our Yemeni armed forces are fully prepared to confront escalation with escalation.”