The U.S. intensifies military campaign against Houthis in Yemen, marking the most significant American military operation in the Middle East during President Donald Trump’s second term. Codenamed Operation Rough Rider, the campaign launched on March 15, 2025, has since escalated into a multi-front offensive involving airstrikes, naval bombardments, and electronic warfare across key Houthi-controlled territories.
The campaign was triggered by an uptick in Houthi drone and missile attacks on commercial shipping and military vessels transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The attacks, often targeting U.S. Navy assets and allies such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have disrupted global trade routes and raised international security alarms.
Operation Rough Rider: Largest Middle East Campaign Since 2003
Pentagon sources report that since the operation began, over 320 sorties have been flown by U.S. fighter jets and bombers, including the F/A-18 Super Hornets and B-1B Lancers. Additionally, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group has been stationed in the region to provide continuous aerial and naval support.
According to a statement from CENTCOM, the United States has successfully destroyed:
- 28 radar installations
- 15 air defense sites
- 11 long-range ballistic missile launch platforms
- Over 40 drone manufacturing and launch facilities
Satellite imagery released by private defense analysts corroborates extensive infrastructure damage in northern Yemen, particularly in the Saada and Al-Hudaydah regions, long considered strongholds of the Iran-backed Houthi movement.
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Houthi Response and Civilian Impact
The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, have responded with intensified attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes. On April 10, they launched a ballistic missile that struck near a Liberian-flagged oil tanker, narrowly avoiding disaster. In retaliation, the U.S. Navy intercepted and destroyed three incoming drones targeting the USS Laboon, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.
Humanitarian agencies report a rising toll on civilians, with over 570 casualties—including at least 160 civilian deaths—since mid-March. The United Nations has warned of a “rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis,” with displacement figures now topping 45,000 people in northern governorates.
“We urge all parties to prioritize civilian safety and allow humanitarian access,” said UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg during a press briefing in Geneva. “Yemen cannot afford to slip back into full-scale war.”
Geopolitical Implications: Iran, Israel, and the Red Sea Chessboard
As the U.S. intensifies military campaign against Houthis in Yemen, the geopolitical stakes continue to rise. Washington accuses Tehran of supplying advanced missile and drone technology to the Houthis, turning the conflict into a wider regional proxy battle.
Israel, still reeling from recent cross-border tensions with Hezbollah, has voiced strong support for U.S. actions, while Iran has warned of “consequences” if American operations threaten its allies in the region.
Meanwhile, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have increased naval patrols in the Suez and Bab el-Mandeb straits, aiming to secure international shipping routes that carry nearly 12% of global trade.
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Domestic and International Reactions
Back in the United States, the Biden-Trump policy divide has reignited debate in Congress. While Republicans support Trump’s strong military posture, Democrats question the long-term strategy.
“This administration is playing with fire,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren. “We need a clear exit plan, not a sprawling warfront.”
The UK, France, and Germany have backed U.S. operations diplomatically but remain cautious about deeper military involvement. NATO has activated its maritime readiness force, citing concerns over freedom of navigation and the safety of commercial vessels.
A Critical Moment in U.S. Foreign Policy
As the U.S. intensifies military campaign against Houthis in Yemen, the situation reflects a high-stakes gamble for Washington in a volatile region. With maritime security, regional alliances, and humanitarian stability all hanging in the balance, the coming weeks will be pivotal in determining whether Operation Rough Rider becomes a swift campaign or the beginning of a prolonged engagement.
Either way, the crisis underscores the fragility of Middle Eastern geopolitics—and the global consequences that follow when conflict flares in the Red Sea corridor.
