Leaked Signal Chat Reveals U.S. War Plans Against Houthi Forces in Yemen

A cellphone photo taken on March 19, 2025, depicts smoke and flames rising from a neighborhood in Sanaa, Yemen, following an airstrike that has drawn significant attention. In a revealing piece, Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, uncovered the full details of a Signal group chat where U.S. national security officials discussed plans for a military strike against Houthi forces. This revelation came after assertions from President Donald Trump and other high-ranking officials claimed that the group chat did not involve any classified content.

Goldberg indicated that he was unexpectedly included in this Signal chat, known for its encryption, which discussed military operations set to be executed shortly after. A message allegedly from the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, outlined crucial operational details such as targeting information and the sequence of the attacks, which were scheduled to commence just hours later. Concerns arose regarding the possibility that such sensitive information could potentially be intercepted, posing a risk to American military personnel.

The Atlantic's article further detailed Hegseth's updates regarding the operation's schedule, informing the group about the favorable weather conditions and the imminent launch of military aircraft. Experts have voiced their concern that using a nonsecure messaging platform for such discussions is a significant national security risk. Goldberg emphasized that had adversaries accessed the timings and locations of American forces, the lives of military personnel could have been jeopardized.

In response to the article's release, The Atlantic reached out to several government agencies to confirm their objections to publishing the chat's contents. Although White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that the information was not classified, she noted that the discussion was meant to be internal, thereby opposing its disclosure. The article contended that there is a public interest in understanding how sensitive information is communicated by senior officials through unsecured channels.

Following the article, U.S. Vice President JD Vance critiqued Goldberg’s portrayal, suggesting he exaggerated the significance of the chat's contents. Vance also pointed out an incident involving CIA Director John Ratcliffe, clarifying that a name mentioned in the chat was not that of an undercover officer. Meanwhile, the White House maintained its stance that no classified plans were discussed in the group chat, asserting that the information shared was not sensitive.