A scandal has erupted in the administration of US President Donald Trump over the leak of classified information about the military operation against the Houthis in Yemen. The editor of the American magazine The Atlantic was accidentally included in a closed group in the Signal messenger (blocked in Russia), where details of the upcoming strike were discussed. During the correspondence, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent the journalist comprehensive information about the attack plan several hours before it began, revealing key aspects of the operation, which raised serious questions about secrecy in the highest echelons of power. 

According to the data provided by Hegseth, the correspondence identified specific targets for the strikes, including command centers, weapons depots, and drone production facilities used by the Houthis to threaten shipping in the Red Sea. It also detailed the forces involved: aircraft from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, U.S. Air Force fighter jets, and attack drones based in the region. The message also included details of the weapons used, from guided bombs to cruise missiles, and a precise timetable for the attack, scheduled for March 15, 2025, at 13:45 p.m. ET. This information, intended for a narrow circle of people, ended up in the hands of a member of the media, jeopardizing not only the success of the operation, but also the safety of American troops. 

The leak was an unexpected blow to the reputation of an administration that has positioned itself as a decisive fighter against terrorism. Trump himself, who announced the operation through his platform Truth Social, called it a “decisive and powerful strike” aimed at restoring freedom of navigation. But the Signal incident exposed vulnerabilities in internal communications, undermining confidence in White House security measures.