Pentagon Press Secretary Sean Parnell on Strikes Against Houthi Terrorists

Pentagon Briefing Room and Transparency Commitment

• 💡 The new Pentagon press briefing room aims to be the most transparent Department of Defense in history.
• ✅ Briefings will become more routine, starting with this one due to significant US military operations.

US Military Operations Against Houthis

• 🎯 US Central Command forces conducted precision strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen over the weekend.
• 🚀 The objective is to restore freedom of navigation and reestablish American deterrence.
• ⚠️ For years, Houthis have targeted US military ships, aircraft, and commercial vessels, including US flag vessels, and threatened US personnel.
• 📈 Houthis have launched missiles and drones at US warships over 170 times and at commercial vessels 145 times since 2003.
• ⚡ Under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, the US will defend its troops and ensure consequences for attacks.
• 🚫 The redesignation of Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization is being processed, reversing a previous administration's decision.
• 🕊️ This is not an endless offensive or about regime change; it's about putting American interests first.
• 🏁 The operation's end state is achieved the moment the Houthis pledge to stop attacking ships and endangering American lives.

Collective Self-Defense in Africa

• ✈️ US Africa Command conducted collective self-defense air strikes against Al-Shabab in Somalia on March 15th at the request of the Somali federal government.
• 💥 Initial assessment indicates enemy combatants were killed with no civilian casualties.
• 🤝 US forces will continue to partner with Somali Armed Forces to degrade Al-Shabab's ability to plan and conduct attacks.