U.S. intensifies strikes on Yemen's Houthis, claims Iran "incredibly weakened"
By bellecarter // 2025-04-06
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  • The White House announced that ongoing U.S. military operations have significantly weakened Iran, with President Trump authorizing renewed strikes on March 15, following over 200 airstrikes by the Pentagon.
  • The current campaign, marked by more aggressive airstrikes targeting Houthi leadership and urban strongholds, contrasts with the more limited approach of the Biden administration, which focused on disabling missile sites.
  • The conflict, fueled by Iranian arms shipments and Houthi missile attacks on Israel, highlights a deepening proxy war. Despite U.S. airstrikes, the Houthis remain resilient, posing challenges to achieving a quick resolution.
  • The lack of formal congressional authorization for the strikes, coupled with revelations of undisclosed war-planning discussions ("Signalgate"), has raised legal and political questions, with critics warning of potential entanglement in another protracted Middle Eastern conflict.
  • The U.S. faces a strategic dilemma, balancing the need to curb Iranian influence with the risk of another quagmire. While the White House remains committed to its hardline stance, the prolonged campaign may face increased scrutiny and domestic debate.
The White House declared on Tuesday, April 1, that Iran has been significantly weakened by ongoing U.S. military operations against Yemen's Houthi rebels, as President Donald Trump and his national security cabinet authorized renewed strikes on March 15. The Pentagon's intensified campaign – now exceeding 200 airstrikes – has drawn scrutiny amid revelations of private war-planning discussions with journalists, dubbed "Signalgate." While the Houthis deny key leadership losses, U.S. officials insist the operation will continue until Red Sea shipping routes are secure. Recent U.S. airstrikes in Yemen have been far more aggressive than those conducted under the Biden administration, according to analyses by Israeli media and the Associated Press. Whereas previous operations focused on disabling missile launch sites, the Trump-led campaign has expanded to target Houthi leadership and urban strongholds. "The pattern under U.S. President Donald Trump reflects a departure from the Biden administration, which limited its strikes as Arab allies tried to reach a separate peace with the group," noted a report in the Times of Israel. The shift follows Houthi's threats to attack Israeli-linked vessels in retaliation for the Gaza blockade. (Related: Trump administration reportedly preparing for military strikes on Iran, raising fears of escalation.) White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt emphasized the operation's impact: "There have now been more than 200 successful strikes. Iran is incredibly weakened as a result. They've taken out Houthi leaders, critical members who have been launching strikes on naval ships and commercial vessels." However, neither side has confirmed high-profile casualties and Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported only generalized strikes near Sanaa and Saada.

A proxy war with no quick resolution

The conflict traces back to 2015, when the U.S. first accused Iran of arming the Houthis – a claim bolstered by intercepted weapons shipments in the Gulf. Despite years of airstrikes, the group remains entrenched, launching at least eight ballistic missiles at Israel in recent weeks and repeatedly targeting U.S. warships. Retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan cautioned against expectations of a swift victory. "Folks that say, 'We'll go in there and take out everyone with the last name Houthi and we'll win.' The Houthi leadership has been taken out in history in the past, and they are resilient," he told AFP. "They came back and they grew stronger. So this isn't something that is a one-and-done." Meanwhile, Iran sustains its proxy campaign at minimal cost, with the Houthis claiming their 16th downed U.S. drone this week – a claim the Pentagon has yet to address. The absence of formal congressional authorization for the strikes has raised legal and political questions, particularly after "Signalgate" revealed undisclosed war-planning discussions. Critics argue the administration risks entangling the U.S. in another protracted Middle Eastern conflict without clear objectives. As the Pentagon operates in what analysts call "Iran's backyard," the Houthis show no signs of retreat. With Red Sea trade routes still vulnerable and bipartisan concern growing over the campaign's scope, the U.S. faces a dilemma: escalate further or seek a negotiated exit. For now, the White House appears committed to its hardline stance – but the longer the strikes continue, the louder the domestic debate will become. The U.S.-Houthi conflict has evolved into a high-stakes test of Washington's ability to curb Iranian influence while avoiding another quagmire. While the Trump administration touts tactical successes, the Houthis' resilience and Iran's low-cost proxy strategy suggest a prolonged struggle ahead. With no congressional mandate and mounting scrutiny over transparency, the strikes may soon face tougher scrutiny – both on the battlefield and at home. Head over to WWIII.news for stories similar to this. Watch the video below that talks about the U.S. military striking Houthis in Yemen. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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