High-Level US Officials Deliberate Houthi Assault Strategy on Signal
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Synopsis
On March 25, top US national security officials, including Vice President J D Vance and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, discussed military strikes against the Houthis of Yemen on the Signal app. The discussions were confirmed by National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes and highlighted the ongoing threats posed by the Houthis in the region.
Key Takeaways
- High-level discussions among US officials about military actions against Houthis.
- Inadvertent inclusion of journalist in sensitive military talks.
- Confirmation from National Security Council on authenticity of discussions.
- Continued Houthi threats against maritime security in West Asia.
- Ongoing US military strikes initiated on March 15.
Washington, March 25 (NationPress) Senior national security figures from the administration of US President Donald Trump engaged in extensive deliberations regarding a military offensive against the Houthis in Yemen using a commercial messaging platform, as reported by various news outlets and later verified by officials.
The group involved in these discussions, which lasted several days and covered aspects such as the nature of the strikes, weaponry, and timing, inadvertently included a journalist, Jeffery Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic.
Participants in these Signal discussions, an encrypted messaging application, comprised Vice-President J D Vance, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, NSA Mike Waltz, CIA Director John Radcliffe, and DNI Tulsi Gabbard. A participant recognized by MAR is believed to be Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
When asked about the talks, President Trump responded, “I’m not aware of it. I’m not particularly fond of The Atlantic.”
Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, validated the reports regarding the discussions as shared by The Atlantic.
“Currently, it appears that the message thread in question is legitimate, and we are investigating how an unintended number was included in the chain,” Hughes noted, adding, “This thread illustrates the comprehensive and carefully considered policy coordination among senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operations indicates there are no threats to our personnel or national security.”
The initial strikes by the Trump administration against the Houthis commenced on March 15 after the Houthis signaled a return to attacks against Israel due to its blockade of Gaza.
These military actions have persisted, with additional strikes occurring over the weekend and extending into Monday.
The Houthis have reportedly targeted approximately 100 merchant vessels in the waters of West Asia — specifically the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Arabian Sea — since November 2023, following Israel's retaliation against Hamas for the terrorist incidents on November 7.
