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The United States has carried out more than 1,000 airstrikes in Yemen since launching a fresh wave of attacks against Houthi rebels in mid-March, according to the Pentagon on Tuesday.
The Houthis began disrupting maritime traffic in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in late 2023, in response to Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza, prompting the US to initiate military operations earlier this year. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed that the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees operations in the Middle East, had hit over 1,000 targets since March 15, killing rebel fighters and leaders and damaging their operational capabilities.
The UK also confirmed on Wednesday that it had joined the US in the latest offensive. The Ministry of Defence said Royal Air Force jets targeted drone-manufacturing facilities located about 25 kilometres south of the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. These joint strikes have continued since early 2024.
Previously, CENTCOM had put the total number of targets hit since mid-March at over 800. They reported that hundreds of Houthi fighters had been killed in that period.
However, controversy surrounds the campaign following reports from Houthi media that a US strike hit a migrant detention facility in Saada, killing at least 68 people. A UN spokesperson later indicated that initial reports suggested the victims were migrants. A US defence official stated that the military is investigating claims of civilian casualties.
The Houthis have said their attacks on international shipping are an expression of solidarity with Palestinians over Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza. Their retaliatory actions have disrupted global shipping, particularly through the Suez Canal, which typically handles around 12% of the world’s maritime trade.
