At least 31 dead in US air strikes on Yemen as Iran escalates war of words claiming action 'violated international law' and warning it WILL retaliate to any attacks

The first round of airstrikes by Donald Trump against Yemen’s Houthi rebels resulted in the deaths of at least 31 people, according to a statement by the rebel group on Sunday. Iran, a supporter of the rebels, vowed to take retaliatory action in response to the attacks.

The Houthis, known for their attacks on Israel and Red Sea ships during the Gaza conflict, revealed that the strikes led to the deaths of civilians, including children. They stated that a total of 101 individuals sustained injuries due to the heavy bombardment, which was conducted with the assistance of the British military.

Trump, in a post on social media, vowed to ‘use overwhelming lethal force’ and ordered Iran to ‘immediately’ cut its support.

Issuing a strong warning, the Houthis declared that they will not allow the airstrikes to go unanswered. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the casualties and emphasized that the United States has no right to govern its foreign relations.

A spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, Esmaeil Baqaei ‘strongly condemned the brutal air strikes by the US’ in a later statement, denouncing them a ‘gross violation of the principles of the UN Charter’, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vowed to retaliate against Trump’s strikes. 

The Houthi Ansarollah website slammed what it called ‘US-British aggression’ and Washington’s ‘criminal brutality’.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM), which posted images of fighters and a bomb demolishing a building compound, said ‘precision strikes’ were launched to ‘defend American interests, deter enemies, and restore freedom of navigation’.  

‘Our Yemeni armed forces are fully prepared to confront escalation with escalation,’ the rebels’ political bureau said in a statement on their Al-Masirah TV station.

The first set of Donald Trump's (pictured) airstrikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels killed at least 31 people, the rebel group said

The first set of Donald Trump’s (pictured) airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels killed at least 31 people, the rebel group said

A girl injured by a US strike lies on stretcher at a hospital in Saada, Yemen March 16, 2025

A girl injured by a US strike lies on stretcher at a hospital in Saada, Yemen March 16, 2025

A plume of smoke billows during a US strike on Yemen's Houthi-held capital Sanaa early on March 16, 2025

A plume of smoke billows during a US strike on Yemen’s Houthi-held capital Sanaa early on March 16, 2025

Trump, in a post on social media, vowed to 'use overwhelming lethal force' against the terror group

Trump, in a post on social media, vowed to ‘use overwhelming lethal force’ against the terror group

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.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the Houthis had ‘attacked US warships 174 times and commercial vessels 145 times since 2023’.

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

The Palestinian group Hamas, which has long supported the Houthis, hit out Saturday at the US strikes, branding them ‘a stark violation of international law and an assault on the country’s sovereignty and stability’.

After halting their attacks when Gaza’s ceasefire took effect in January, the Houthis announced on Tuesday that they would resume them until Israel lifts its blockade of aid to the shattered Palestinian territory.

Trump’s statement did not reference the dispute over Israel, but focused on previous Houthi attacks on merchant shipping.

‘To all Huthi [sic] 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!’ he said.

US aircrafts taking off from aircraft carrier as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces carry out precision airstrikes kicking off a series of operations consisting of precision strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi targets across Yemen

US aircrafts taking off from aircraft carrier as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces carry out precision airstrikes kicking off a series of operations consisting of precision strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi targets across Yemen

People and rescuers search amid the rubble of a house hit by a US strike in Saada, Yemen March 15, 2025

People and rescuers search amid the rubble of a house hit by a US strike in Saada, Yemen March 15, 2025

A man gestures as he searches in the rubble of a house hit by a US strike in Saada, Yemen March 16, 202

A man gestures as he searches in the rubble of a house hit by a US strike in Saada, Yemen March 16, 202

This handout image released by US Central Command (CENTCOM) on March 15, 2025 shows CENTCOM forces launching an operation against Houthi targets across Yemen

This handout image released by US Central Command (CENTCOM) on March 15, 2025 shows CENTCOM forces launching an operation against Houthi targets across Yemen

The Houthis, who have attacked Israel and Red Sea shipping throughout the Gaza war, said children were among those killed by the intense barrage of strikes

The Houthis, who have attacked Israel and Red Sea shipping throughout the Gaza war, said children were among those killed by the intense barrage of strikes

‘Do NOT threaten the American People, their President… or Worldwide shipping lanes. If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable and, we won’t be nice about it!’

Earlier this month, the United States reclassified the Houthi movement as a ‘foreign terrorist organisation’, banning any US interaction with it.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also spoke to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. Moscow is close to Tehran, which supports the Houthis.

‘Continued Houthi attacks on US military and commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea will not be tolerated,’ Rubio told Lavrov on Saturday, according to the State Department.

The Houthis captured Sanaa in 2014 and were poised to overrun most of the rest of the country before a Saudi-led coalition intervened.

The war devastated the already impoverished nation.

Fighting has largely been on hold since a 2022 ceasefire, but the promised peace process has stalled in the face of Houthi attacks on Israel and Israel-linked shipping.

You May Also Like
Kim Kardashian left distraught as ex Kanye West drags their daughter North, 11, into Diddy scandal

Kim Kardashian is upset as former partner Kanye West involves their 11-year-old daughter, North, in Diddy controversy

Kim Kardashian has been left distraught as her ex-husband Kanye West drags their…
Dominican attorney general grills witness in missing American case at his resort in person

Attorney general of the Dominican Republic interrogates witness in the American missing person case at the resort in person

The top prosecutor in the Dominican Republic, Yeni Berenice Reynoso, personally questioned…
Truth behind America's most unlikely love story: Why I married a face transplant survivor... and am ready for more

The real story behind an unlikely love affair in America: How I embraced a face transplant survivor and am open to a future together

For Jessica DiMeo, it was one of the most uncomfortable evenings she’d…
5 injured in car crash in Marengo, Illinois near North Union Road and Route 176 as snow impacts road conditions: officials

Car Accident In Marengo, Illinois Leaves 5 People Injured Due to Snowy Road Conditions, Reports Say

MARENGO, Ill. (WLS) — Five people were injured, three critically, in a…
What Time Is ‘Dark Winds’ On Tonight? ‘Dark Winds’ Season 3 Channel, Start Time, Streaming Info

“When Does ‘Dark Winds’ Season 3 Air Tonight? Channel, Start Time, and Streaming Details”

Last week saw the long-awaited return of a new episode of Dark…
Lucy Hale Says She Auditioned For ‘Hannah Montana’ Before Miley Cyrus: “Made Me Want To Be An Actress”

Lucy Hale Reveals She Tried Out for ‘Hannah Montana’ Before Miley Cyrus and It Inspired Her to Pursue Acting

Lucy Hale is commonly known for being the unofficial leader of the…
NCAA Men's March Madness brackets have Auburn as the overall No. 1 followed by Duke, Houston, Florida

Auburn leads the way in NCAA Men’s March Madness brackets, with Duke, Houston, and Florida not far behind.

Johni Broome, who is the SEC player of the year, led the…
March Madness: UCLA, South Carolina, USC, Texas are No. 1 seeds in women's basketball NCAA Tournament

Top Seeds in Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament: UCLA, South Carolina, USC, Texas

UCLA secured the top spot as the overall seed in the women’s…
Indiana cop charged after forcing daughter, 6, to stand in freezing cold with threatening sign

Indiana police officer accused of making 6-year-old daughter stand in cold weather with a scary sign

A police officer from Indiana stands accused of making his six-year-old daughter…
Hilarious New Book Excerpt About Kamala and 'Chairs' Proves Just How Lucky Americans Are She Lost

Funny New Book Preview About Kamala and ‘Seats’ Shows Americans’ Good Fortune in Her Defeat

Let’s face it.  Kamala Harris proved to be an unsuccessful candidate during…
Pope Francis shares health update as he issues traditional Sunday prayer from his hospital bed

Update on Pope Francis’ Health as He Delivers Sunday Prayer from Hospital Bed

Pope Francis said in his latest Sunday prayer, issued from his hospital bed,…
You can live in a firehouse but there's a catch. See the quirky three-bedroom home on the market for $100k

Unique Three-Bedroom Home Available for $100k – There’s a Twist if You Want to Live in a Firehouse

For anyone whose ever dreamed of living in a real firehouse, the…