Houthi Leader Threatens Escalation Against U.S. Forces as Trump Responds with Airstrikes

Yemeni terror chief vows attacks on U.S. warships following President Trump’s air campaign to counter Red Sea maritime terrorism.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

The head of Yemen’s Houthi terrorist organization, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, declared a new wave of attacks against American military forces on Sunday, promising to “escalate” strikes in response to President Donald Trump’s recent airstrike campaign against the group. Speaking in a broadcast deemed inflammatory and erratic, al-Houthi pledged a terror campaign targeting American warships and imposed a “navigation ban” on U.S. vessels in waters surrounding Yemen.

President Trump had announced on Saturday via Truth Social that he had authorized “aerial attacks on the terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defenses” following renewed threats by the Houthis to disrupt commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Trump attributed the action to ongoing Houthi aggression, including attacks on ships globally — even vessels affiliated with Russia, China, and Iran — which began following Hamas’s invasion of Israel in October 2023. The president emphasized the need to protect American and allied maritime interests from what he described as “an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism.”

“Our brave Warfighters are right now carrying out aerial attacks on the terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defenses to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore Navigational Freedom,” Trump declared. He accused “the Houthi thugs” of inflicting billions in economic damages and endangering innocent lives through relentless assaults. Trump concluded with a warning: “To all Houthi terrorists, 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!”

In response, al-Houthi insisted Trump’s strikes were a “failure” and vowed retaliation, specifically naming the USS Harry Truman as a target. “Our armed forces have begun responding to the American aggression — this is our choice, our decision, and our direction, as long as the American aggression on our country continues,” al-Houthi said, according to PressTV. “The aircraft carrier and American warships will be targets for us, and the navigation ban will include the Americans as long as they persist in their aggression.”

The USS Harry Truman, deployed as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, was reportedly the focus of Houthi missile and drone attacks, which Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed had limited American warplane activity. Saree stated that Houthi forces had launched “several ballistic and cruise missiles and drones” against the Harry Truman twice in 24 hours, a claim the U.S. military has not confirmed.

However, Task & Purpose reported that U.S. officials acknowledged Houthi attempts to target the carrier, involving 11 drones and one ballistic missile. All drones were intercepted, and the missile was reportedly not on a trajectory to threaten U.S. Navy assets.

Al-Houthi also claimed that he would organize a “historic, million-strong march across Sanaa” and other regions to demonstrate support for Hamas and the broader jihadist cause. In Houthi-controlled regions, civilians are frequently forced to attend such rallies in support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran’s so-called “axis of resistance.”

The Houthis have long disrupted global commerce through maritime terrorism, attacking vessels without clear ties to Israel, the U.S., or Britain. The White House highlighted the economic toll of these actions, noting that annual Red Sea traffic has dropped from 25,000 ships to 10,000 due to the threats. Roughly 75% of U.S.- and UK-affiliated ships have rerouted around Africa to avoid the Red Sea, underscoring the global impact of the Houthis’ maritime aggression.