Trump vows to unleash ‘hell’ as US attacks rebels

US President Donald Trump has ordered “decisive and powerful military action” to end the threat posed to Red Sea shipping by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

US President Donald Trump has vowed to unleash “hell” on Iranian-backed Houthi rebels until they stop attacking ships in the critical Red Sea corridor.

In a social media post that came after Houthi media reported strikes on the Yemeni capital Sanaa, Mr Trump also warned that Iran must “immediately” cut support to the rebels.

This grab from AFPTV footage shows smoke plumes rising following bombardment on Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa. Picture: AFP

“Today, I have ordered the United States Military to launch decisive and powerful Military action against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen,” Mr Trump wrote in a Truth Social post announcing the strikes.

“They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones,” he continued.

The strikes were carried out by the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, three Navy destroyers and one cruiser at targets in Sanaa, according to reports.

Mr Trump sent a direct message to the militia group, writing in the post, “YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY.

“IF THEY DON’T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!”

Nine people were killed in the strikes on Yemen’s capital, Houthi rebels said, after Mr Trump announced the attack on the Iran-backed group.

US President Donald Trump has vowed to unleash “hell” on Houthi rebels. Picture: AFP

Another nine people were wounded in the first US strikes on the Houthis, who have attacked Israel and Red Sea shipping throughout the Gaza war, since Mr Trump took office in January.

“Nine civilians were killed and nine others were injured, most of them seriously,” the Houthis’ health and environment ministry said in a statement on their Saba news agency.

The rebels’ Al-Masirah TV station said an “American-British aggression raided a residential neighbourhood in the Shuub district” in Sanaa. It later reported such a strike on the Huthi stronghold of Saada.

There was no immediate comment from British authorities.

After Mr Trump’s comments, the Huthis hit back in a statement on Al-Masirah vowing that the strikes “will not pass without response”.

“Our Yemeni armed forces are fully prepared to confront escalation with escalation,” the rebels’ political bureau said.

Trump also warned Iran that it must “immediately” cut support to the rebels. The rebels, who have controlled much of Yemen for more than a decade, are part of the “axis of resistance” of pro-Iran groups staunchly opposed to Israel and the United States.

They have launched scores of drone and missile attacks at ships passing Yemen in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden during the Gaza war, claiming solidarity with the Palestinians.

The campaign crippled the vital route, which normally carries about 12 per cent of world shipping traffic, forcing many companies into a costly detour around the tip of southern Africa.

Originally published as Trump vows to unleash ‘hell’ as US attacks rebels