US magazine releases details Trump's Yemen War Plan; Donald Trump, Pentagon reacts
American magazine The Atlantic on Wednesday released the leaked chats of Trump administration pertaining to the US airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.
Screenshots from the "Houthi PC small group" chat revealed top US officials discussing the timing of the strikes and the types of aircraft used against the Houthis on March 15, marking the first attack on the group since Donald Trump assumed office in January.
Reacting to the report, Hegseth, who is also the Pentagon chief, issued a scathing rebuttal, questioning the credibility of the reported communications.
“So, let me get this straight. The Atlantic released the so-called 'war plans', and those 'plans' include: No names. No targets. No locations. No units. No routes. No sources. No methods. And no classified information," Hegseth said in a post on X.
Here's a screenshot of Hegseth's message, as per The Atlantic:
"TIME NOW (1144et): Weather is FAVORABLE. Just CONFIRMED w/CENTCOM we are a GO for mission launch"
"1215et: F-18s LAUNCH (1st strike package)"
"1345: ‘Trigger Based’ F-18 1st Strike Window Starts (Target Terrorist is @ his Known Location so SHOULD BE ON TIME – also, Strike Drones Launch (MQ-9s)"
"1410: More F-18s LAUNCH (2nd strike package)"
"1415: Strike Drones on Target (THIS IS WHEN THE FIRST BOMBS WILL DEFINITELY DROP, pending earlier ‘Trigger Based’ targets)"
"1536 F-18 2nd Strike Starts – also, first sea-based Tomahawks launched".
"MORE TO FOLLOW (per timeline)"
"We are currently clean on OPSEC"
"Godspeed to our Warriors".
"I will say a prayer for victory," Vice President JD Vance replied, followed by Mike Waltz's update that a building had collapsed.
- With inputs from agencies
