NYT: US "Operation Rough Rider" in Yemen costs Pentagon $200 million In Just Three Weeks

The U.S. operation against the Houthi militia in Yemen, dubbed Operation Rough Rider, has been a costly endeavour, with the Pentagon using up to $200 million worth of munitions in just three weeks.

This high expenditure includes precision-guided bombs and long-range missiles, as part of a broader military campaign to disrupt Houthi missile and drone attacks, particularly those targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea, Caliber.Az reports via The New York Times.

The cost of the operation extends beyond munitions. The deployment of two aircraft carriers, additional bombers, fighter jets, and advanced air defence systems like Patriot and THAAD has added significant operational and personnel expenses.

These figures could see the total cost surpass $1 billion by next week. The Pentagon is now considering the possibility of requesting supplementary funding from Congress to sustain the operation.

Furthermore, concerns are growing within the Pentagon about the long-term sustainability of the military’s stockpiles, especially of precision munitions, which could be critical for other strategic priorities, such as potential military action in the Pacific against China.

Despite the high costs, the strikes have met with limited success, with Pentagon officials acknowledging that the Houthi forces have reinforced many of their defences, complicating efforts to disrupt their operations.

While U.S. officials have publicly claimed that the strikes have successfully targeted senior Houthi leaders and infrastructure, private briefings have revealed frustrations over the operation’s effectiveness. Some officials have expressed doubt about the operation’s long-term impact, with estimates suggesting that the strikes could continue for up to six months.

Despite this, the Pentagon maintains that the airstrikes have disrupted Houthi command and control structures and have reduced their ability to launch missile attacks on Israel and international shipping lanes.

The financial burden of this ongoing operation, coupled with the strategic challenges on the ground, raises questions about the long-term objectives and costs of the U.S. involvement in Yemen. As the military continues its campaign, the total expenditure and the need for additional funding could become a point of contention within U.S. government circles.

By Aghakazim Guliyev