Over 100 Houthi targets hit in US bombing campaign, defense official says
The US military has struck more than 100 Houthi targets in Yemen since launching its bombing campaign last month, an American defense official told Al Arabiya English on Tuesday.
'We have destroyed command and control facilities, weapons manufacturing facilities, and advanced weapons storage locations. We have also confirmed the death of several Houthi leaders,' the official said, without providing additional details on who exactly was killed.
Among the assets used in the campaign are recently deployed B-2 stealth bombers, capable of carrying 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs. Officials say the bombers have been conducting operations against underground Houthi facilities and weapons storage sites. Several of the aircraft have been stationed in the Indian Ocean to support the strikes.
The top US military general for the Middle East, Gen. Erik Kurilla, met with senior Yemeni military officials last week during a trip to Saudi Arabia. Kurilla and his Yemeni counterparts discussed the ongoing US campaign against the Houthis, 'designed to restore freedom of navigation,' according to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).
The Houthis have claimed several attacks against US ships and that they have downed multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones. At least three drones have been shot down in the last two months, according to officials.
When asked if any of the Houthi attacks had hit US ships or assets, the US defense official said: 'US personnel and assets are safe and accounted for.'
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned on Monday that the campaign is far from over. 'It's about to get worse,' he said, describing intensified operations ahead.
President Donald Trump also echoed the administration's assertations that US strikes have killed several senior Houthi figures and weapons experts. However, the White House has not provided evidence to support these assertions, and Pentagon officials have declined to offer further details.
Despite growing criticism over the campaign's cost and effectiveness—US media reports suggest the operations have cost nearly $1 billion—senior defense officials maintain that the effort is achieving its objectives. Hegseth has pushed back on doubts, insisting the campaign has been both justified and successful.
The US defense official told Al Arabiya English on Tuesday that the Houthis still maintain capabilities, but it is mainly because of the nearly 10 years of support provided by Iran. 'We are already seeing progress but have nothing additional to offer at this time,' the official added.
'When the Houthis stop shooting at us, we will stop shooting at them,' the official said, citing previous comments by Hegseth.
Asked about civilian casualties, the official said the Pentagon takes allegations of civilian casualties seriously and has a process to review them.
In a further show of force, Hegseth recently ordered additional squadrons and air defense assets to the region. A second aircraft carrier was redirected from the Indo-Pacific to bolster the US presence in the Middle East, alongside deployments of Patriot missile batteries and a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. While the Pentagon has not confirmed the exact deployment sites, reports indicate the THAAD system was sent to Israel.
Message to Iran
Although the enhanced military posture has primarily targeted the Houthis, officials say it is also meant to send a clear signal to Iran.
The US defense official said capabilities or details of adversaries are not discussed due to operational security reasons. 'However, Secretary Hegseth continues to make clear that, should Iran or its proxies threaten American personnel and interests in the region, the United States will take decisive action to defend our people.'
The US and Iran are expected to hold direct talks this weekend in Oman—the first in months—to discuss Tehran's nuclear program. Washington has reiterated its position that Iran will not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Trump on Monday at the White House to discuss regional developments, including Iran. On Tuesday, Netanyahu called on the US to oversee the dismantling or destruction of Iran's nuclear infrastructure, warning that military force should remain an option if diplomacy fails.
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