Yemeni forces consider ground assault on Houthis, US airstrikes continue

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By Ryan Robertson (Anchor), William Jackson (Producer), Shianne DeLeon (Video Editor)

The U.S. has carried out more than 350 airstrikes on Houthi targets since March, aiming to protect Red Sea trade and counter Iranian influence. Officials said the campaign seeks to deter future attacks on regional partners and commercial vessels.
The Houthis continue to fire drones and missiles, claiming U.S. strikes failed to degrade their capabilities. They also reported civilian casualties from the attacks.
Yemeni militias plan a ground offensive on Hodeidah without direct U.S. backing, while officials consider scaling down the air campaign and pursuing diplomacy.

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The U.S. launched airstrikes against Houthi targets in mid-March in response to the group’s missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and strikes against Israel. The Trump administration described the campaign as part of a broader effort to protect shipping lanes, counter Iranian influence and deter future regional threats.

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Since the campaign began, the U.S. has conducted more than 350 strikes targeting weapons facilities, command centers and Houthi leadership.

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How have the Houthis responded to the US campaign?

The Houthis claimed the U.S. campaign has failed to weaken their capabilities. The group continues to launch drones and missiles at U.S. assets and Israel.

Houthi officials said they have shot down four U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones and vowed to escalate operations.

In public statements, they said the strikes have killed civilians and disrupted infrastructure but have not deterred their military activities. The Houthis asserted that the arrival of a second U.S. aircraft carrier in the region signals unsuccessful earlier operations.

What is the cost and impact of the US campaign?

According to U.S. officials cited by CNN, the air campaign has cost nearly $1 billion. The U.S. military has not released a detailed battlefield assessment.

Houthi health authorities reported that the attacks have killed over 120 people and injured dozens. The Houthis alleged some strikes hit civilian areas, including a ceramics factory in Sanaa, though the Associated Press could not verify those claims.

Are local factions preparing a ground offensive?

Yemeni pro-government militias are preparing a potential ground campaign against the Houthis, according to U.S. and Yemeni officials. The plan involves advancing along the western coast to capture Hodeidah, a key port city under Houthi control.

Capturing the port would cut off a major supply route for Iranian weapons and reduce Houthi influence over Red Sea shipping lanes.

Is the US supporting the ground operation?

The U.S. has not officially endorsed the operation but has held discussions with local partners and the United Arab Emirates, which supports several Yemeni factions. American private contractors have advised on planning, and the National Security Council said regional allies are primarily responsible for securing Red Sea waterways.

Saudi Arabia has declined to support the offensive due to concerns about renewed Houthi retaliation.

What risks does the offensive pose?

A ground offensive could reignite full-scale civil war in Yemen, reversing gains made under a 2022 truce. The Houthis have spent years reinforcing coastal positions and stockpiling weapons in underground facilities, raising the potential for prolonged and intense conflict.

Analysts warned the offensive could be long, costly and devastating for civilians. Yemen remains in a severe humanitarian crisis, with widespread malnutrition and reduced aid due to funding cuts.

How is this campaign different from past U.S. actions?

The current air campaign under President Donald Trump has expanded beyond launch sites to include targeting senior Houthi leaders and urban areas. The campaign follows a broader shift toward more aggressive tactics aimed at deterring Iran’s regional proxies.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes are also intended to send a message to Tehran as nuclear talks continue. The Biden administration previously relied more on naval protection and limited strikes.

What’s next in US strategy?

U.S. officials said they are considering options to wind down the air campaign while exploring diplomatic solutions. Talks with Iran recently resumed in Oman, though Houthi-related issues were not discussed.

Meanwhile, Arab mediators continue to push for a ceasefire in Gaza, a condition the Houthis said could halt their attacks on shipping. U.S. officials expect operations in the region to continue in the short term as military assets remain deployed.

Tags: airstrikes, CNN, Houthi, Iran, National Security Council, United Arab Emirates, Yemen

[ryan robertson]

THE U-S BOMBING CAMPAIGN IN YEMEN IS ENTERING ITS SECOND MONTH. NOW, A NEW FRONT COULD BE OPENING—ON THE GROUND. THE HOUTHI ATTACKS KEEPCOMING AND AMERICA’S REGIONAL ALLIES ARE WEIGHING THEIR NEXT MOVE, BUT THE CONFLICT MAY BE SHIFTING.

YEMENI FORCES BACKED BY THE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED GOVERNMENT SAY U.S. AIRSTRIKES WEAKENED HOUTHI POSITIONS ALONG THE RED SEA COAST—AND THEY NOW SEE A CHANCE TO LAUNCH A GROUND OFFENSIVE. AMERICAN OFFICIALS CONFIRM THE PLAN IS UNDER DISCUSSION, BUT SAY NO FINAL DECISION HAS BEEN MADE.

THE PROPOSED GROUND ASSAULT WOULD TARGET THE STRATEGIC PORT OF HODEIDAH. IT SERVES AS A KEY SUPPLY HUB AND IS WIDELY VIEWED BY WESTERN OFFICIALS AS A LIKELY ENTRY POINT FOR IRANIAN WEAPONS. IF SUCCESSFUL, THE OPERATION WOULD CUT OFF HOUTHI WEAPONS AND REVENUE STREAMS–WHICH WOULD DISRUPT THE ATTACKS ON SHIPPING.

U.S. FORCES BEGAN AIRSTRIKES IN MID-MARCH AFTER THE HOUTHIS LAUNCHED DRONES AND MISSILES AT COMMERCIAL VESSELS AND TOWARD ISRAEL. THE PENTAGON DEPLOYED TWO AIRCRAFT CARRIERS TO THE REGION AND SAYS IT CARRIED OUT MORE THAN 350 STRIKES ON WEAPONS DEPOTS, COMMAND CENTERS, AND LAUNCH SITES.

DESPITE THAT, HOUTHI LEADERS CONTINUE TO CLAIM STRIKES AGAINST U.S. SHIPS AND ISRAEL. MOST OF THE HOUTHIS ATTACKS ON SHIPS WERE THWARTED, BUT THE MILITANTS DID BRING DOWN SOME AMERICAN DRONES. THE HOUTHIS SAY THEY SHOT DOWN AT LEAST 16 MQ-9 REAPERS SINCE THE CONFLICT STARTED. U.S. OFFICIALS ACKNOWLEDGED REPORTS OF ATTACKS ON REAPERS BUT DIDN’T CONFIRM ANY SHOOTDOWNS.

HOUTHI OFFICIALS CALL THE U.S. CAMPAIGN A FAILURE AND THREATEN TO ESCALATE THEIR OWN STRIKES. THEY ALSO REPORT SEVERAL CIVILIAN CASUALTIES FROM THE U-S AIRSTRIKES—CLAIMS WASHINGTON HASN’T DIRECTLY ADDRESSED.

THE HOUTHIS REMAIN DESIGNATED AS A TERRORIST GROUP. THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION LIMITED STRIKES DURING ITS TERM, BUT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION EXPANDED TARGETS TO INCLUDE TOP HOUTHI LEADERS. SOME IN WASHINGTON AND ELSEWHERE ARE ALSO LINKING THIS CAMPAIGN TO WHITE HOUSE EFFORTS TO PRESSURE IRAN OVER ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM.

SAUDI ARABIA TOLD BOTH AMERICAN AND YEMENI REPRESENTATIVES IT WON’T BACK A NEW GROUND WAR, CITING THE RISK OF RENEWED ATTACKS.

THE UAE, HOWEVER, SUPPORTS THE IDEA. SOME YEMENI MILITIAS SAY THEY’RE PREPARED TO ACT AGAINST THE HOUTHIS, WITH OR WITHOUT OUTSIDE SUPPORT.