The US-led coalition's latest operation in Yemen: Arab media reported overnight Saturday-Sunday that the coalition carried out 50 airstrikes on Houthi targets across four provinces—Sanaa, Al-Hudaydah, Amran, and Marib.
According to the reports, the airstrikes targeted sites and positions belonging to the pro-Iranian terrorist organization. In Sanaa province, strikes hit weapons depots and shelters southeast of the capital. North of the capital, additional Houthi positions were targeted, with two fatalities reported. A headquarters of the group in the Al-Safiyah area was also bombed. Further attacks hit storage sites, shelters, and additional posts, with at least one fatality reported in the Bani Matar region.
In Al-Hudaydah province, coalition aircraft bombed Houthi positions at the local airport and at a naval base near the port. The Houthis reportedly use the airport for military operations and for storing weapons and ammunition, particularly anti-ship missiles. In Amran and Marib provinces, additional Houthi positions and shelters were struck. In response, the Houthis launched missiles from other areas under their control, such as Ibb and Al-Jawf.
Meanwhile, a Yemeni economic analyst estimated that the airstrikes on Thursday evening targeting the Houthi-controlled Ras Issa fuel terminal caused the group about $700 million in damages. Reports also indicated that 74 people were killed in those strikes.
The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed that the focus on western Al-Hudaydah is intended to seriously degrade the Houthis' infrastructure and military capabilities. The institute noted that this province is critical to the Houthis because of its major ports and radar systems, which allow them to monitor maritime traffic in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The report mentioned the killing of mid-level commanders in the Houthis' logistics network. ISW concluded that while the air campaign may yield only temporary results, a ground assault would be required to seize control of Al-Hudaydah province.
