The United States has been ramping up pressure on the Iranian-backed Houthi militia in response to ongoing attacks on commercial shipping routes in the Red Sea. Overnight (Friday), 23 airstrikes by the U.S. Military targeted Houthi positions across four provinces in Yemen: Ma’rib, Amran, Sana’a, and Hudaydah, according to Al Arabiya reports. The strikes are part of a broader campaign launched in March aimed at halting Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
Targets: Military Sites, Communications, and Weapons Depots
Arab media outlets report that the latest strikes focused on military facilities, communication infrastructure, weapons depots, and other strategic locations. U.S. air and naval operations have intensified in recent weeks as part of an ongoing response to the Houthis’ increasingly aggressive behavior, especially toward American and allied maritime assets.
Since the launch of the campaign in March, over 1,000 strikes have been conducted. According to the Houthi-run health ministry, at least 217 people have been killed and over 430 injured.
Continued Military Pressure
This is not the first time this week the U.S. has struck targets in Yemen. Earlier, more than 50 Houthi targets—including weapons stockpiles and military bases—were hit in Sana’a, Hudaydah, and Amran. The escalation coincides with reported preparations by the Southern Yemeni Armed Forces for a potential ground offensive near Hudaydah port, leveraging the weakened Houthi defenses.
✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️ ميناء الحديدة بأكثر من 15 غارة امريكية وتدميره بالكامل.
عبدة الشمة بنتقم من الشعب pic.twitter.com/DstAlWGxSQ— صور من اليمن Pictures from Yemen (@Pictures0Yemen) April 19, 2025
Houthis in Conflict with Israel
Operating as part of Iran’s regional axis, the Houthis have fired numerous missiles and drones at Israel since the start of the “Swords of Iron” war. On Tuesday, a ballistic missile fired from Yemen was intercepted over northern Israel. Most missiles launched from Yemen toward Israel are intercepted or fall short, according to the IDF.
Sanctions Alongside Strikes
In tandem with its military campaign, the U.S. has imposed sanctions on the International Bank of Yemen (IBY) for financing the Iranian-backed Houthi militia. The sanctions extend to three senior bank officials: Kamal Hussein al-Jabri, Ahmad Thabet Noman al-Abbasi, and Abd al-Qadir Ali Bazra.
These moves underline Washington’s commitment to using both military and economic tools to dismantle the Houthi threat and protect maritime security in the region.
