At least 31 people were killed and 101 were injured after the United States military "took out" Houthi rebels in an airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump on Saturday (March 15), White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz confirmed to ABC News.
The airstrikes, which are expected to continue as part of the largest military operation conducted under Trump's second administration, intended to serve as a direct warning to Iran.
"These were not kind of pinprick, back and forth -- what ultimately proved to be feckless attacks," Waltz said. "This was an overwhelming response that actually targeted multiple Houthi leaders and took them out. And the difference here is, one, going after the Houthi leadership, and two, holding Iran responsible."
Waltz accused Iran of helping the Houthis rebels, echoing claims made by Trump during his initial announcement on his Truth Social account on Saturday.
"Today, I have ordered the United States Military to launch decisive and powerful Military action against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen. They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones," Trump wrote, while also warning Iran to cease its support of the group "immediately."
Trump also took aim at former President Joe Biden's past handling of the Houthi rebels following their attack on American warships in the Red Sea.
"Joe Biden’s response was pathetically weak, so the unrestrained Houthis just kept going. It has been over a year since a U.S. flagged commercial ship safely sailed through the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, or the Gulf of Aden," he wrote. "The last American Warship to go through the Red Sea, four months ago, was attacked by the Houthis over a dozen times. Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at U.S. aircraft, and targeted our Troops and Allies. These relentless assaults have cost the U.S. and World Economy many BILLIONS of Dollars while, at the same time, putting innocent lives at risk."