The U.S. military has pummeled over 800 targets since mid-March in a campaign aimed at eliminating Houthi terrorists and restoring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, according to an update from Central Command.
Since the start of “Operation Rough Rider” on March 15, U.S. forces have executed an “intense and sustained campaign” to dismantle the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist organization’s capabilities, CENTCOM said Monday. The strikes have destroyed critical military infrastructure, including command centers, air defense systems, advanced weapons manufacturing sites and stockpiles of anti-ship missiles and drones.
“These strikes have killed hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders, including senior Houthi missile and UAV officials,” the statement read.
The Houthis’ ability to launch attacks on international shipping has taken a major hit. U.S. officials say ballistic missile launches have dropped by 69%, while attacks by one-way suicide drones have fallen by 55% since the operation began.
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A missile is launched from a warship during the U.S.-led coalition operation against Iran-backed Houthi militia, from an undisclosed location, in this handout picture released on Jan. 12, 2024. (US Central Command via X/Handout via Reuters/ File Photo)
The Ras Isa Port – previously a key Houthi fueling hub – was also destroyed, cutting off a vital revenue stream the group used to fund its terror activities.
The update came after concerns over the rapid rate at which the offensive campaign has depleted munitions stockpiles, and congressional officials say the campaign has already cost over $1 billion, the New York Times first reported.
The Houthis have said they will continue to lob projectiles and launch drones toward Western commercial and military ships in the Red Sea in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza and Hamas.
Houthi supporters rally to show support to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, in Sanaa, Yemen, on March 15. (Reuters/Khaled Abdullah)
Sunday’s update was the first after six weeks of bombing on how many targets had been struck.
It did not reveal how many civilians had been killed or the cost of the campaign. The U.S. now has two aircraft carriers in the region and has sent in new fighter, bomber and air defense units.
“To preserve operational security, we have intentionally limited disclosing details of our ongoing or future operations. We are very deliberate in our operational approach, but will not reveal specifics about what we’ve done or what we will do,” the statement read.
Despite U.S. claims of success, some lawmakers and military analysts have questioned whether the strikes are achieving lasting results. Critics argue that while the campaign has degraded some Houthi capabilities, it has not fully stopped attacks on shipping vessels, U.S. Navy ships, or international maritime traffic.
A crater created by a U.S. airstrike. (Donald Trump/Truth Social)
“We will continue to ratchet up the pressure until the objective is met, which remains the restoration of freedom of navigation and American deterrence in the region,” the statement said.
The Houthi offensive was at the center of a bombshell report on a Signal group of top Trump Cabinet officials who used the chat to discuss details and, in the case of Vice President JD Vance, air complaints about the planned strikes.
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“I think we are making a mistake,” Vance wrote in the Signal chat, later published by The Atlantic.
“I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now.” The commercial ships being attacked in the Red Sea are largely European.