U.S. Strikes Houthi Weapons Depots in Yemen to Protect Maritime Interests

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The U.S. military conducted multiple precision strikes on January 8, 2025, targeting two underground weapons storage facilities used by the Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen. The strikes were aimed at disrupting the Houthi's operations, which have threatened naval warships and merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes were carried out without any reported injuries to U.S. personnel or damage to American equipment. However, the military did not confirm specific casualty figures for the Houthis, nor did they disclose the exact locations of the strikes within Yemen. Local reports suggest that the attacks took place in the northwestern Amran province and in Sanaa province, where the Houthis have maintained significant control since seizing the capital in 2014.

This operation aligns with an increase in military actions taken by the Biden administration against Houthi targets, which included previous strikes on command centers and weapon storage facilities in December. The Houthis have escalated attacks on maritime traffic following heightened tensions in the region, particularly in light of ongoing conflicts involving Iran-backed groups.

The U.S. military reiterated that the strikes are part of ongoing efforts to degrade the Houthi capabilities to threaten maritime security and regional partners.

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