US Strikes Houthi Detention Center, Promises Further Action

The US recently struck a Houthi-controlled prison in the latest wave of airstrikes against the terrorist group in Yemen. 

According to Houthi media, the strikes killed dozens of individuals living or working at the detention center in Saada, Yemen. 

The Houthis claim the US attacks killed a number of civilians, including African refugees, but this has yet to be confirmed. 

The US has yet to comment on the attacks, but US Central Command (CENTCOM) released a statement a few hours before the strikes occurred, warning of future action against the Houthis. 

“We will continue to ratchet up the pressure until the objective is met, which remains the restoration of freedom of navigation and American deterrence in the region,” reads the statement. 

CENTCOM also explained it is limiting disbursing information about its anti-Houthi operations, suggesting that the public will not receive additional explanations about the latest strikes.

“To preserve operational security, we have intentionally limited disclosing details of our ongoing or future operations,” continued CENTCOM. “We are very deliberate in our operational approach, but will not reveal specifics about what we’ve done or what we will do.”

The Houthis, an Iran-backed Yemeni terror group, have been targeting US, Israeli, and allied ships traversing the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since Hamas’ October 7th, 2023, attacks. 

During former President Joe Biden’s administration, it is estimated that the Houthis attacked US military and commercial ships over 300 times. 

Since President Donald Trump took office, however, the US has sought to decimate the Houthis’ military capabilities by increasing military attacks against key Houthi personnel and resources. 

According to CENTCOM, the US has struck the Houthis 800 times, killing hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders, including senior Houthi missile and drone officials.

CENTCOM estimates that, while Houthi attacks persist, they have significantly dwindled. 

For example, ballistic missile launches and one–way drone attacks have reportedly dropped by 69% and 55%, respectively.

The Houthis’ continued resistance to US pressure has reportedly prompted the US government to consider alternate avenues, such as supporting a ground invasion against the Houthis.