US Defense Secretary faces scrutiny over leaked military plans in Yemen

As the United States intensifies its military operations in Yemen, recent reports reveal troubling breaches of protocol involving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. According to multiple sources, Hegseth disclosed classified military plans through a private Signal group chat that included individuals lacking official clearance.

In a shocking revelation, The New York Times reported that Hegseth shared sensitive details, including flight schedules for airstrikes in Yemen, with his wife, Jennifer Hegseth, his brother, a former Fox News producer, and his personal lawyer. This group chat, titled “Defense|Team Huddle,” was established before Hegseth's official confirmation as defense secretary in January. Initially intended for administrative discussions, it was misused to disseminate operational information about US airstrikes conducted on March 15.

Moreover, Hegseth inadvertently shared the same classified information in another Signal group chat that included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic. This chat was created by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz for senior officials coordinating military operations. The Pentagon's acting inspector general is now conducting an investigation into this potential breach of classified information following a bipartisan request from Senate Armed Services Committee leaders.

The implications of these leaks are significant, especially in light of the ongoing US military campaign against the Houthis in Yemen, which has quickly become one of the deadliest conflicts. Just days after the leaks surfaced, a US airstrike in Sanaa killed at least 12 people in a crowded market, further underscoring the civilian toll of these operations. Local sources reported that the strike targeted the Farwah Market in the Shu’ub neighborhood, reflecting the chaotic nature of the conflict.

Despite the US military's assertion that its strikes aim to "degrade the economic source of the Houthis," the reality on the ground paints a different picture, with mounting civilian casualties raising ethical concerns about the conduct of the campaign. The military's significant escalation of operations since mid-March aims to counter Houthi threats to Israeli and American interests in the region, amid a backdrop of ongoing humanitarian crises.

As scrutiny over Hegseth's actions intensifies, the Pentagon faces pressing questions about operational security and the ethical implications of its military strategies in Yemen.