U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on March 15, 2025, that military operations were initiated by the U.S. against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, responding to increasing threats posed by the group to American shipping interests and global maritime security.

President Donald Trump confirmed the directive for decisive military action, asserting that the Houthis have engaged in piracy, violence, and terrorism targeting vessels and aircraft.

Rubio conveyed a firm message on social media platform X, stating, 'Today @POTUS sent a powerful and clear message to Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen.

These attacks on U.S. vessels and global shipping must stop and we will hold you accountable.

We will protect our people and freedom of navigation.' This indicates a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement in the region, highlighting the ongoing tensions linked to Iranian influence in Yemen.

In related developments, Houthi-affiliated media reported that airstrikes targeting a residential area in the capital, Sana'a, resulted in the deaths of nine civilians and injuries to nine others.

Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi political office, condemned U.S. involvement as 'unjustifiable' and asserted that the Houthis would respond to this escalation with further retaliatory measures.

The situation remains fluid as diplomatic and military responses are unfolding in an already volatile environment.