US Military Conducts Significant Airstrikes Against Houthi Forces in Yemen

The US military has launched a series of airstrikes targeting the Yemeni Houthi movement, known as Ansar Allah, in the province of Al-Hodeidah. According to reports from the Houthi-affiliated TV channel Al Masirah, US aircraft executed at least 15 strikes on locations controlled by the Houthis , with Kamaran Island in the Red Sea identified as a primary target. Experts believe the island houses a radar station and various vessels utilized by the Houthis for maritime operations. As of now, there are no confirmed reports of casualties or damage, which is common in the early stages of such operations.

These strikes are part of a broader US military campaign aimed at diminishing the Houthis’ military capabilities and safeguarding international shipping routes in the Red Sea. The Houthis have intensified their attacks on commercial vessels since late 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza as their motivation. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the recent airstrikes in Al-Hodeidah specifically targeted facilities used to coordinate maritime operations.

The US campaign against the Houthis has escalated dramatically since March 2025, following the announcement of Operation Rough Rider by President Donald Trump. Reports indicate that US forces have targeted over 30 sites in Yemen since mid-March, including weapons depots, training facilities, and command centers. Reports say that these attacks have resulted in at least 58 fatalities, including civilians, and left dozens more injured.

In response to the US military actions, the Houthis have vowed to retaliate against what they describe as aggression, threatening further attacks on US warships and Israeli assets. They claim to have targeted the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, a claim the Pentagon has denied, asserting that they intercepted 11 Houthi drones.

Despite the intensity of the airstrikes, sources notes that the current US campaign has seen limited success. The Houthis have managed to preserve much of their military arsenal by relocating weapons to underground bunkers. This has compelled the Pentagon to allocate substantial resources, with approximately $200 million worth of ammunition expended in just three weeks of Operation Rough Rider. Analysts observe that the Houthis, drawing on a decade of warfare experience, have adapted their tactics by fortifying defenses and avoiding the concentration of forces in vulnerable areas.