A major security breach has exposed detailed US military plans for airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The classified information was mistakenly shared in a Signal chat that included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. The leak has sparked controversy, with President Donald Trump dismissing it as “not a big deal.”
Leaked Messages Reveal Attack Timeline
The messages, sent on March 15, reportedly came from high-ranking officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
Hegseth outlined the strike schedule in the chat, confirming that weather conditions were favorable and the mission was set to proceed.
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11:44 AM ET – Hegseth confirmed with CENTCOM that the mission was a go.
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12:15 PM ET – First wave of F-18 fighter jets launched.
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1:45 PM ET – The first strike window opened, targeting a known terrorist location.
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2:10 PM ET – Second wave of F-18s took off.
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2:15 PM ET – Strike drones reached the target, marking the moment the first bombs were scheduled to drop.
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3:36 PM ET – The second round of F-18 strikes began, along with the first launch of sea-based Tomahawk missiles.
Hegseth reassured the team that operational security remained intact, signing off with, “Godspeed to our warriors.”
Read: US Secretary Rubio Admits ‘Big Mistake’ in Military Chat Leak
Officials React as Strike Hits Target
Vice President Vance responded shortly after, stating, “I will say a prayer for victory.”
By 1:48 PM ET, Waltz confirmed that the first strike had hit its target, bringing down a building that housed a key enemy operative. He praised military officials for their execution. Vance, surprised by the speed of the update, responded, “What?” Waltz clarified that their top missile commander had been inside a building with his girlfriend when the strike hit, leading to its collapse.
Vance replied, “Excellent,” while CIA Director Ratcliffe later added, “A good start.”
Backlash and Political Fallout
The leak has led to significant political backlash, with critics questioning how classified military plans were so carelessly shared. Many lawmakers are demanding answers, calling for an investigation into how the information was compromised.
The revelation has also intensified debates on US involvement in Yemen. Supporters argue the attack was a necessary step to neutralize threats, while opponents criticize the civilian risks associated with such operations.
While Trump downplayed the leak, calling it insignificant, security experts warn that such breaches could endanger military operations and personnel. The full impact of the incident is still unfolding, with calls for greater oversight on how sensitive information is handled within the administration.
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