Houthi 'barbarians' will be annihilated, Trump says

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday described Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels as “barbarians” and said they would be “completely annihilated” by an intensified American military campaign against them.

Mr Trump also warned Iran against continuing its aid for the group.

The US military began launching strikes against the rebels on Saturday. Washington has pledged to use overwhelming force until the rebels stop firing on shipping routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

“Iran must stop the sending of these supplies immediately. Let the Houthis fight it out themselves. Either way they lose, but this way they lose quickly,” Mr Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “Tremendous damage has been inflicted upon the Houthi barbarians, and watch how it will get progressively worse – It’s not even a fair fight, and never will be. They will be completely annihilated.”

US President Donald Trump posted this message about the Houthis on Truth Social on March 19, 2025.

Mr Trump made reference to reports that Iran “has lessened its intensity on military equipment and general support” for the Houthis, although he added: “They are still sending large levels of supplies.”

This month, Mr Trump wrote a letter to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offering to hold talks on Tehran's nuclear programme. Axios reported on Wednesday that the letter included a two-month deadline to reach a nuclear deal

The Houthis, part of Iran's “axis of resistance” against the US and Israel, have been launching attacks on Red Sea shipping since the start of the Gaza war, claiming solidarity with Palestinians.

The Houthis on Wednesday claimed to have carried out an attack on American warships in the Red Sea. It was the fourth strike they took responsibility for in three days.

On Wednesday, the US military's Central Command released video of its warplanes shooting down Houthi attack drones.

Moment US forces shoot down Houthi attack drone

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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