Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended U.S. airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthis, stressing that they aim to protect global shipping and U.S. military interests. President Trump announced the strikes, which are intended to apply ongoing pressure on the Houthis until they cease their attacks. Rubio highlighted past incidents and reaffirmed that the campaign will continue until the Houthis are incapacitated.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that U.S. airstrikes on the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are aimed at impairing their capacity to attack global shipping and U.S. military forces. He emphasized the significance of this operation by declaring, “We’re doing the entire world a favor by getting rid of these guys and their ability to strike global shipping.”
President Trump announced these airstrikes, asserting that the U.S. would use “overwhelming lethal force” until the Houthi attacks on shipping cease. U.S. Central Command confirmed the strikes and indicated the potential for an extended campaign depending on the Houthis’ and Iran’s reactions.
In January, Trump re-designated the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, a label initially assigned in January 2021 but removed by President Biden due to humanitarian concerns. Nevertheless, the Biden administration later classified the group as a “Specially Designated Global Terror Group” in 2024. The recent airstrikes were prompted by the Houthis’ disruption of crucial shipping lanes in the Red Sea and their threats to target Israeli vessels.
Rubio noted that over the past eighteen months, the Houthis executed 174 attacks on U.S. naval vessels and 145 on commercial shipping, describing them as a “band of pirates” with precise anti-ship weaponry. He clarified that the airstrikes represent a sustained campaign rather than a temporary measure.
Rubio assured that the operation will persist until the Houthis lose their capability to launch such attacks. While he ruled out ground raids at this stage, he reported that significant figures involved in missile launches were no longer operational, thus indicating a successful impact of the campaign.
In conclusion, Secretary of State Marco Rubio justified the U.S. airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthis as essential for global shipping security. The ongoing campaign aims to dismantle the group’s military capabilities, thereby protecting U.S. interests and international transit routes. With a strategic focus on sustained operations, the objective remains to ensure that these attacks are permanently curtailed.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
