By Agboola Aluko | GLiDE NEWS – April 9, 2025
T he United States has intensified its military offensive in Yemen, launching 22 coordinated airstrikes across northern regions of the country on Tuesday, in what marks one of the most significant escalations yet in its confrontation with Houthi forces.
According to reports from Houthi-affiliated al-Masirah TV and local sources, the latest bombardments targeted areas in eastern and southern Sanaa, the strategic Kamaran Island in the Red Sea, and the oil-rich Marib province.
Eyewitnesses described the strikes as “extremely violent,” although no casualties were immediately confirmed following Tuesday’s assault. The escalation follows Sunday night’s air raids, which reportedly left four children dead and injured at least 25 civilians in the capital.
The ongoing U.S. aerial campaign, which began on March 15, aims to neutralize Houthi threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The Iran-aligned group has targeted vessels it claims are linked to Israel, disrupting one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors.
Despite the intensity of the campaign, analysts say the strikes have yet to achieve a strategic breakthrough. Houthi forces continue to mount attacks against U.S. and Israeli targets. Between October 2023 and April 3, 2025, Houthi sources claim to have shot down 17 U.S.-manufactured MQ-9 Reaper drones.
On Monday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a military installation in Tel Aviv and said they launched cruise missiles and drones toward two American warships in the Red Sea.
“The U.S. strikes have not met their objectives so far,” said Ali Bin Hadi, a retired military officer and security expert based in Aden. “The Houthis remain operational, continue to threaten navigation, and maintain leadership control. Meanwhile, the U.S. is incurring high costs with limited progress.”
Political observers believe this latest barrage could be laying the groundwork for a broader military campaign. Muqbil Naji, a political analyst also based in Aden, said the strikes may be a prelude to ground operations, either by American forces or local allies backed by Washington.
“There’s an emerging window for Yemen’s legitimate government to retake Hodeidah and key Red Sea territories, especially with regional and U.S. support,” Naji noted.
In a statement this week, Rashad Al-Alimi, Chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, called for unity among government-aligned forces and intensified support from international allies. He described the moment as “decisive” in the push to restore Yemen’s legitimate institutions and end what he termed the suffering imposed by the Houthi-led war.
The Houthis, who have controlled much of northern Yemen including the capital Sanaa since 2014, continue to resist efforts by the internationally recognised government to regain control. The group insists its Red Sea operations are aimed at halting Israel’s campaign in Gaza and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches Palestinians.
Analysts warn that if left unchecked, the U.S.-Houthi conflict could become a prolonged engagement with broader implications, risking further instability in the Red Sea—an essential artery for global trade and energy supplies.
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