'Regret your vote now?': Reactions to Trump ordering 'decisive' Yemen strike pour in

On Saturday afternoon, March 15, President Donald Trump announced that he has ordered a "decisive" military action against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Trump vowed to use "overwhelming lethal force" against them "until we have achieved our objective." On his social media platform Truth Social, the president posted, "They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones…. The Houthi attack on American vessels will not be tolerated."

Trump also posted, "Our brave Warfighters are right now carrying out aerial attacks on the terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defenses to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore Navigational Freedom. No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World.

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CNN's Kevin Liptak reports, "The U,S, has been working to degrade Houthi capabilities for months as the entity worked to disrupt international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest waterways, calling the attacks a response to Israel’s war in Gaza against Hamas. The group has targeted more than 100 ships and vessels, including with drones, missiles and small ships."

Liptak adds, "The Biden Administration sought to respond by carrying out targeted strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, including attacking underground weapons storage facilities in October and November, but the actions did not prevent further attacks."

Trump's announcement is receiving plenty of responses on X, formerly Twitter

Zahraddeen Saleh, a former assistant to ex-Nigerian Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Betta Edu, tweeted, "Military action should always be a last resort and this decision might only intensify the conflict leading to more suffering for innocent civilians

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KrassenCast's Brian Krassenstein posted, "BREAKING: Trump has ordered strikes on pro-Iran Houthis in Yemen, including radars, missile systems and drone sites. Is this more peace or less peace? I'm confused."

Republicans Against Trump tweeted, "Donald Trump took to Truth Social to announce: 'To all Houthi terrorists, your time is up & your attacks must stop, starting today. If they don’t, hell will rain down upon you like nothing you’ve seen before!' Trump also sent a message to Iran: 'To Iran: Support for the Houthi terrorists must end IMMEDIATELY! Do NOT threaten the American People, their President, or Worldwide shipping lanes.'"

Democratic activist Rita Powell wrote, "So now he’s starting a war? Lookout for the draft, incels! Regret your vote now? Trump orders large-scale military strikes against Yemen’s Houthis - The Washington Post."

Spokane, Washington's Channel 4 News noted that the military strikes " opening a new salvo against the Iran-backed group that has targeted shipping lanes in the Red Sea.

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