U.S. escalates military action in Yemen amid Houthi defiance
The United States (U.S.) has intensified its military campaign against sites of the Houthi forces in Yemen, conducting 22 airstrikes across northern Yemen early Tuesday.
This latest wave of strikes targeted eastern and southern areas of the capital, Sanaa, the Island of Kamaran in the Red Sea, and the oil-rich Marib province.
This is according to reports from Houthi-run al-Masirah TV and local residents.
Witnesses described the bombardment as “very powerful and violent’’ though no casualties have been immediately reported from Tuesday’s operation.
This escalation followed Sunday night airstrikes that reportedly killed four children and wounded 25 others in Sanaa.
The current U.S. air campaign, which began on March 15, reportedly aimed to halt Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, particularly those the group claimed were linked to Israel.
In spite of the sustained U.S. offensive, Yemeni military analysts suggest these airstrikes have failed to deter the Houthis, who continued to target American and Israeli interests in the region.
According to Houthi reports, 17 U.S.-made MQ-9 Reaper drones have been downed in Yemen between October 2023 and April 3, 2025.
On Monday, the group claimed that it launched a drone attack on a military target in Tel Aviv, Israel, and struck two U.S. warships in the Red Sea with cruise missiles and drones.
“The U.S. campaign against the Houthis has, to date, not achieved its stated objectives.
“The group still possesses the ability to threaten international navigation, its leadership remains intact, and Washington is incurring substantial costs without achieving significant progress.’’
Ali Bin Hadi, a retired military official and expert based in Aden, said.
But political analyst Muqbil Naji from Aden suggests these airstrikes may be “a prelude to ground operations,’’ potentially involving direct U.S. military intervention or increased support to forces loyal to Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
Naji noted a “looming opportunity” for the Yemeni government to liberate at least Hodeidah and the West Coast from the Houthis with the support of regional countries and the U.S…
Supporting this assessment, Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi had called for unified ranks and active support in the fight against Houthi forces.
he declared that the decisive hour was approaching to end what he described as the suffering inflicted by the war waged by the Houthi militias.
The Yemeni leader reiterated his government’s commitment to “restore usurped state institutions.’’
The Houthis, which control much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, have been fighting against the internationally-recognised government since 2014.
The Houthis maintain that their maritime attacks in the Red Sea aim to pressure an end to the Israeli offensive in Gaza and facilitate the return of humanitarian aid to Palestinian territories.
The two analysts warned that the ongoing conflict between Washington and the Houthi group risks opening a new long-term front in the strategically vital Red Sea region, with complex implications for regional and international security.
