Hegseth Declares 'Unrelenting' U.S. Campaign Against Houthis
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has vowed an ‘unrelenting’ military campaign against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen until they cease attacks on U.S. assets.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the U.S.’s commitment to a sustained military effort against Houthi targets in Yemen, speaking on ‘Sunday Morning Futures’. He stated that the campaign would persist until the Houthis stop their aggression towards American ships and drones. This comes in the wake of U.S. Central Command’s recent precision strikes aimed at defending American interests and restoring freedom of navigation in the region.
Hegseth’s remarks align with President Donald Trump’s recent directive, as shared on TRUTH Social, ordering decisive military action against the Houthi forces. The Defense Secretary underscored that the ongoing operations are crucial for reinstating deterrence and securing maritime routes, which he described as a ‘core national interest’. He criticized the previous administration’s handling of the situation, noting that under President Joe Biden, the Houthis had been allowed to attack U.S. and commercial ships over 100 times without significant repercussions.
The latest military operation marks the first U.S. strike against the Houthis since the start of Trump’s second term. Hegseth’s comments reflect a broader policy shift towards a more aggressive stance on national security, encapsulated in his declaration that ‘an era of peace, through strength is back.’