US strikes Houthi missile launchers in Yemen

The United States has carried out two series of airstrikes targeting ballistic missile launch sites in Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

The airstrikes targeted missile launch sites in Taiz, a region controlled by the Houthis, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

The attack damaged a significant portion of the infrastructure, and there were no reports of civilian casualties. It is noted that facilities used to coordinate attacks on military and merchant ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden were also attacked.

The Houthis, a Shia Islamist militant group backed by Iran, have been a central force in Yemen's civil war since the 1990s. In late 2023, following Israel's military response to Hamas attacks, the Houthis intensified their operations by targeting international shipping in the Red Sea and launching missile attacks on Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv. These actions disrupted global trade, with Red Sea cargo shipments decreasing by 70% in volume, and resulted in casualties among civilians and seafarers. ​

In response, the United States initiated "Operation Rough Rider" on March 15, 2025, marking its largest Middle Eastern military operation during President Donald Trump's second term. The campaign involves extensive air and naval strikes targeting Houthi radar systems, air defences, and missile launch sites.

By Khagan Isayev