Trump's 'Hellish Blow' Message to Houthi Rebels

President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen on March 15, warning of a "hellish blow" if the group continued attacks on international shipping routes.

"Houthi attacks on American vessels will not be tolerated. We will use lethal and overwhelming force until our objective is achieved," Trump declared.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the operation sent a "strong and clear message" to the Houthis that assaults on U.S. ships and global maritime trade must end. Since the Gaza conflict erupted in October 2023, the Houthis have targeted commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea to show solidarity with Hamas, another Iran-backed group. Their attacks have sunk two ships and killed four sailors, disrupting one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

The Houthis initially halted their operations after a Gaza ceasefire took effect in January. However, last week, they announced renewed strikes on "any Israeli vessel" in retaliation for Israel cutting aid to Gaza. The group also threatened to expand its attacks to the Gulf of Aden, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Arabian Sea. Trump argued that Houthi attacks have cost the U.S. and global economy billions of dollars, framing the airstrikes as a necessary step to "protect American transportation assets in the air and sea and restore freedom of navigation."

However, analysts suggest Trump's "hellish blow" warning is primarily directed at Iran, a key regional power and Israel’s arch-rival. Iran has long used its "Axis of Resistance" militias—including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iraqi and Syrian factions—to pressure both Washington and Tel Aviv. Over the past year, these groups have suffered significant losses from Israeli military operations. Hamas and Hezbollah have been severely weakened by conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, while Iran’s Syrian militias have disbanded.

In this context, the Houthis remain Iran’s most potent proxy, allowing Tehran to project influence abroad. Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Hossein Salami recently warned of "a decisive and far-reaching response" if the U.S. directly threatens Iran.

Elisabeth Kendall, a Middle East expert at Cambridge University, sees the U.S. airstrikes as a blow to Iran’s last major military tool in the region. By threatening to deliver a "hellish blow" to the Houthis, Trump may be aiming to eliminate one of Iran’s last means of retaliating against the U.S. and Israel.

"This also signals that Washington sees the Houthis as a direct threat that must be dealt with separately from Iran," Kendall noted. "Even if a U.S.-Iran deal is reached, the Houthis could still operate independently and remain a thorn in the side of America and its allies."

U.S. officials say the airstrikes also demonstrate Washington’s commitment to military action in the Middle East, describing them as the beginning of a prolonged campaign that could last for weeks.

Houthi Resilience and Escalation Risks

The Houthis, a Shiite militia that emerged in Yemen in the 2000s, originally fought against former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. In 2015, Saudi Arabia led an Arab coalition into Yemen to restore the internationally recognized government. Despite years of military pressure, the Houthis continue to control large swaths of Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, with Iranian military support.

During Joe Biden’s presidency, the U.S. and the U.K. launched multiple airstrikes against the Houthis, yet failed to stop their maritime attacks. Israel has also conducted at least four strikes in Yemen, including a December 2023 raid on Sanaa’s airport.

Now, Trump hopes that by ordering preemptive strikes against the Houthis, he can succeed where others have failed. However, the key question remains: Will this escalation force the Houthis to retreat, or will it fuel a wider conflict?

For the Houthis, their Red Sea operations serve both ideological and strategic purposes—showing solidarity with Palestinians while elevating their status as a force willing to confront global powers.

"The idea that the Houthis will simply take these airstrikes without retaliation is absurd," said Mohammed Albasha, founder of the U.S.-based security consultancy Basha Report. "They will respond aggressively, setting off an endless cycle of escalation."

Albasha warned that the U.S. airstrikes mark a dangerous new phase in the conflict. The Houthis could resume attacks on Israeli and Western shipping in the Red Sea or even target U.S. bases in Djibouti and the UAE. If the situation spirals further, Saudi Arabia may also find itself in the crosshairs.

On March 16, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi vowed retaliation in a televised speech. "We will strike back at the U.S. with missile attacks on their warships and naval forces," he said.

Later that day, the Houthis launched a 12-hour assault on the USS Harry S. Truman and its escort vessels using drones and missiles. According to U.S. officials, fighter jets intercepted the attacks, preventing damage.

Experts argue that while U.S. strikes may degrade Houthi capabilities, they also risk making the group more unpredictable.

"The Houthis have consistently shown resilience," said Osmah Al Rawhani of the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies. "This means U.S. deterrence strategy will take time to prove effective. The group has adapted and rebounded before, and they might do so again."

(Sources: WSJ, Washington Post, France24)

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