The US has launched decisive and powerful military action to end the threat to Red Sea shipping from Yemen's Houthi rebels. 

This was stated by US President Donald Trump, reports AFP.

The Houthi-controlled Yemeni health ministry said 9 civilians were killed and 9 others were wounded. 

In a social media post published after Houthi media reported strikes on the Yemeni capital Sanaa, Trump also warned that Iran should "immediately" end its support for the rebels. 

"We will use overwhelming lethal force until we achieve our objective," he said.

The new US strikes came shortly after the Houthis announced they would attack all Israeli ships in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Baba al-Mandab Strait and Gulf of Aden.

Their threat came in protest at the Israeli blockade of aid to the Palestinian territory of Gaza.

Trump's statement made no mention of the Israel dispute, instead focusing on previous Houthi attacks on US and international warships and commercial tankers.

"To all Houthi terrorists: YOUR TIME IS RUNNING OUT AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, starting today. If you don't, a hell of a rain like you've never seen before will pour down on you!" the Republican said.

In addition to announcing action against the Houthis, who regularly harass international shipping off the coast of Yemen, Trump issued a stern warning to the group's supporter.

"To Iran: support for Houthi terrorists must be ended immediately. DO NOT threaten the American people, its president... or the world's sea lanes. If you do, FAST, because America will hold you fully accountable and we will not be pleased!" he added.

The Houthis vowed to respond to the deadly strikes on the capital Sanaa.

"This aggression will not go unanswered, and our Yemeni armed forces are fully prepared to confront escalation with escalation," the rebels' political bureau said in a statement broadcast on their Al-Masirah television.

Since November 2023, a month after the start of the war between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis have been waging an anti-shipping campaign they say is in solidarity with the Palestinians.

They are attacking ships in the key waterways of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea with drones and missiles, claiming to target vessels linked to Israel, the United States and Britain. | BGNES