US Army Reports 15 Strikes Against Houthi Positions

US military forces targeted several Houthi positions in Yemen, including missile systems, military bases, and other equipment belonging to this Iranian-backed militia. According to US military officials, on Friday, October 5th, American fighter jets and ships bombarded Houthi positions in five different regions. The US Army also announced that on Friday, it conducted 15 strikes against Houthi-related targets in Yemen, with local residents reporting explosions at military bases and even an airport. The Central Command, which oversees US forces in the Middle East, stated that these targets were related to the Houthis' offensive military capabilities, but did not provide details on whether this included missile, drone, or radar capabilities. Houthi media confirmed seven strikes on Hodeidah airport and one military base in the Khuza area. Additionally, four other strikes were reported in a region of Sanaa, the capital. Houthi media also reported three airstrikes in the Bayda province southeast of Sanaa and two strikes in the Dhamar province. These actions came just days after the Houthis threatened to escalate their attacks against Israel. The Houthis recently announced the downing of an American military drone over Yemen and claimed to have attacked American warships the previous week. According to US military officials, the Houthis fired more than 10 ballistic and cruise anti-ship missiles and two drones at three American warships passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, all of which were intercepted and destroyed. During the year since the start of the Gaza war, the Houthis have targeted over 80 commercial vessels with missiles and drones, claiming to defend Palestinians. They have also seized one ship and sunk two others, resulting in the deaths of four crew members. Many other Houthi missiles and drones have been intercepted by US and allied forces or have fallen into the Red Sea. The group claims to attack vessels linked to Israel, the US, and the UK to end Israel's military operations in Gaza; however, many of the targeted ships had no connection to these three countries and, in some cases, were headed to Iran.