Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that U.S. airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen are essential for protecting global shipping and U.S. military interests. The campaign aims to permanently dismantle the group’s offensive capabilities, as the Houthis pose a persistent threat to vital maritime routes. The strikes follow President Trump’s re-designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organization and underscore the administration’s commitment to countering Houthi attacks, which have significantly targeted commercial and U.S. naval vessels.
On a recent edition of “Face the Nation,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that U.S. airstrikes targeting Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen aim to eliminate their capacity to disrupt global shipping and threaten U.S. military forces. He emphasized, “We are doing the entire world a favor by getting rid of these guys and their ability to strike global shipping.”
President Trump had announced these airstrikes as a response to ongoing Houthi threats to international transit in vital shipping lanes, asserting that the U.S. would employ “overwhelming lethal force” until these attacks cease. Following this, U.S. Central Command confirmed the strikes and indicated that the operation could extend for weeks depending on reactions from the Houthis and Iran.
In January, President Trump re-designated Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, reversing a previous decision by President Biden to remove this designation to facilitate humanitarian aid to Yemen. Despite this latter classification, the Biden administration later designated the Houthi group as a “Specially Designated Global Terror Group” in 2024.
The recent airstrikes were prompted by a series of Houthi provocations, including threats to attack Israeli vessels, which have disrupted key transit routes in the Red Sea. Rubio highlighted that this new military response is not merely a temporary measure but part of a sustained campaign to mitigate the Houthi threat, stating, “This is not a message. This is an effort to deny them the ability to continue to constrict and control shipping.”
To underscore the severity of the situation, Rubio mentioned that in the past 18 months, the Houthis have been responsible for 174 attacks on U.S. naval vessels and 145 on commercial shipping. He characterized them as a “band of pirates” with advanced weaponry, stressing, “That’s just not sustainable.”
Regarding the duration of the operation, Rubio indicated that it will persist until the Houthis can no longer execute their aggressive tactics, confirming that ground raids are not currently being considered. He concluded by asserting that key personnel involved in missile attacks have been countered successfully, stating that operations will continue until the threat is fully neutralized.
In conclusion, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has framed the recent U.S. airstrikes against the Houthi rebels as a necessary action to protect global shipping and U.S. military interests. The strikes are a continuation of a broader strategy to neutralize the threat posed by the Houthis, who have targeted naval shipping extensively. With a focus on sustained military engagement, the U.S. administration aims to ensure that these groups no longer possess the capability to disrupt critical maritime routes. The commitment to this operation indicates a proactive stance against the ongoing Houthi aggression in the region.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
