FLORIDA — US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he has ordered “decisive” military action against Houthis in Yemen, escalating efforts against the group that has targeted shipping lanes in the Red Sea.

Trump stated that the U.S. will deploy “overwhelming lethal force” against the Houthis “until we have achieved our objective.”

“They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American and other ships, aircraft, and drones,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He confirmed that U.S. forces are carrying out aerial strikes on Houthi bases, leadership, and missile defenses to protect American shipping and restore navigational freedom in international waters.

“No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the waterways of the world,” he declared.

Trump had approved the strike plan several weeks ago, with the final order given on Saturday.

U.S. officials described the military operation as a sustained attack on Houthi positions in Yemen, with further actions in the coming weeks based on battle damage assessments.

The Houthis have repeatedly targeted international shipping in the Red Sea, claiming their attacks are in retaliation for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

The group has launched drones, missiles, and small boat strikes against more than 100 vessels in the past year.

The Biden administration had previously conducted targeted strikes on Houthi positions, including weapons storage facilities, but failed to deter further attacks.

The Houthis had previously stated they would cease attacks on Red Sea ships if Israel maintained a ceasefire with Hamas.

“This is not a one-off. This is the beginning of an ongoing series of events that will last days, if not weeks,” a source familiar with the military strategy told CNN.

“There is not and will not be an invasion or troops on the ground. But there will be a series of ongoing strategic targeted attacks.”

Earlier this year, Trump signed an order designating the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization.

In his statement, Trump also issued a strong warning to Iran, which provides financial and military support to the Houthis.

“To Iran: Support for the Houthi terrorists must end IMMEDIATELY! Do NOT threaten the American people, their President, or worldwide shipping lanes,” he wrote. “If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable, and we won’t be nice about it!”

At least nine people were killed and nine others injured in the attacks on the Yemeni capital, according to the Houthi-run health ministry.

Trump criticized the Biden administration’s approach, calling it “pathetically weak,” and said Houthi attacks had cost the U.S. and the global economy “billions of dollars” while endangering innocent lives.

“To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON’T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!” Trump warned. — CNN