Sanaa: A chilling video has emerged showing the exact moment US forces launched airstrikes on Houthi rebel positions in Yemen. The attack, ordered by President Donald Trump , follows a surge in tensions over Houthi assaults on Red Sea shipping lanes.At least 20 people were killed in the airstrikes, including several civilians. Trump’s military operation, aimed at defending global navigation routes, marks the largest US strike in the Middle East since he took office.Also read | BIG BREAKING: 20 Killed in US Strikes as Trump Orders 'Decisive' Military Action Against Houthi Rebels in YemenThe US military targeted key Houthi bases, missile defense systems, and leadership structures in a bid to protect American naval and commercial vessels. President Trump described the airstrikes as essential for restoring "Navigational Freedom" in the region, vowing that no terrorist group would be allowed to impede free passage on the world’s waterways.The Houthis have vowed to retaliate, declaring that the U.S. strikes "will not pass without response." In a statement on Al-Masirah TV, the group expressed their solidarity with Palestinians and pledged to escalate attacks in response. "Our Yemeni armed forces are fully prepared to confront escalation with escalation," they stated. Houthi officials also rejected Trump’s claims that they threatened international shipping routes, calling them "false and misleading."Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, also expressed defiance, stating that Sanaa would continue to support Gaza no matter the challenges, and would not abandon its position. The group has also warned of renewed attacks on Israeli vessels off Yemen’s coast, an action they attribute to Israel's blockade of Gaza.Also read | Yemen's Houthis Fire Hypersonic Missile Near Tel-Aviv, Israel Vows To Eliminate Rebel Group Leaders'The ongoing US military operation is the largest of its kind in the Middle East since President Trump took office. It is part of a broader strategy to pressure Iran, which backs the Houthis, through military force and tightening sanctions. These measures are aimed at compelling Iran to come to the negotiating table over its nuclear program.Trump, who was spending the day at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, said the strikes were necessary to protect US economic interests. "These relentless assaults have cost the U.S. and world economy billions of dollars while also putting innocent lives at risk," he stated.The airstrikes have heightened tensions in the region, with the Houthis pledging to continue their military actions in retaliation. As the conflict intensifies, the situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation in the coming days.