US President Donald Trump ordered a series of airstrikes on the Iran-backed Houthi areas across Yemen on Saturday, promising to use “overwhelming lethal force” until Houthis cease their attacks on shipping along a vital maritime corridor.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump addressed the group directly: “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!”.

Trump also warned Iran to stop supporting the group and promised to hold them “fully accountable.”

He said: “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 Iran-backed Houthis reported explosions on Saturday evening, with images shared online showing black smoke rising from the sky.

According to Trump, the last American warship to go through the Red Sea, four months ago, was attacked by the Houthis over a dozen times.

The US President said the attacks have also cost the US and world economy “BILLIONS” of dollars.

He said US personnel were carrying out aerial attacks on Houthi bases, leaders and missile defenses “to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore Navigational Freedom.”

“No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World,” Trump wrote in a social post.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has conducted a series of significant operations with strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

On Saturday March 15th, CENTCOM initiated precision strikes against Houthi targets across Yemen. The operations aimed to defend American interests, deter hostile actions, and restore freedom of navigation.

According to the White House report, Houthis have attacked U.S. warships 174 times and commercial vessels 145 times since 2023.

Before their attacks, 25,000 merchant ships passed through the Red Sea annually. The current number has dropped to around 10,000 ships annually.

Houthi attacks caused approximately 75% of U.S.- and UK-affiliated vessels to reroute around Africa instead of transiting the Red Sea. The attacks also caused approximately 60% of EU-affiliated vessels to reroute around Africa instead of transiting the Red Sea, the report said.

Furthermore, higher shipping rates caused by Houthi attacks probably increased global consumer goods inflation between 0.6% and 0.7% in 2024.