US targets Houthi missile expert in strikes as Trump vows continued attacks

The White House said on Monday that a top Houthi missile expert was killed in US strikes, as President Donald Trump warned that that military action against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen would continue until the group no longer threatens maritime security.

"The choice for the Houthis is clear: Stop shooting at US ships, and we will stop shooting at you. Otherwise, we have only just begun, and the real pain is yet to come, for both the Houthis and their sponsors in Iran," Trump said in a Truth Social post.

Following Trump’s remarks, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed ongoing attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen on Tuesday, releasing video footage of the strikes.

The White House said that recent US strikes in Yemen have resulted in the death of a top Houthi missile expert. However, the US military has not confirmed the death, and the identity of the Houthi commander remains unclear.

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, in comments to CBS News after the March 15 strikes, said that the first wave of attacks killed “their head missileer.”

Reuters reported that unnamed US officials said they were unaware of any independent confirmation from the US military regarding the death of the individual in question.

While on March 15, CENTOM said in a press release that its forces initiated an operation consisting of precision strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets across Yemen, it did not provide further details on the targets.

Trump also referred to the death of Houthi leaders in his post on Truth Social, saying "The Iran-backed Houthi Terrorists have been decimated by the relentless strikes over the past two weeks. Many of their fighters and leaders are no longer with us."

US Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich did not mention a missileer in his comments about US strikes on Houthi positions on March 17 but confirmed that an aerial drone facility was targeted, along with several key leaders, the Reuters report added.

The strikes, the largest US military operation in the Middle East since Trump took office, aim to pressure the Iran-backed Houthis to end their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, including US warships.

The group has carried out over 100 attacks on shipping since late 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. What began as a campaign against Israeli-backed ships has led to a total blockade on global shipping with multiple international seamen killed in attacks.