As military officials grant insights into Operation Rough Rider, it is clear that while costs soar, the effectiveness of U.S. strikes remains a topic of concern, challenging the narrative of success.
U.S. Military Operations in Yemen: High Costs and Limited Gains
U.S. Military Operations in Yemen: High Costs and Limited Gains
Amid escalating tensions in Yemen, the Pentagon's campaign against Houthi militants reveals significant expenditure and modest results.
In just over three weeks of engagement, the Pentagon has expended $200 million on munitions in an effort to dismantle the Iranian-backed Houthi forces since initiating operations on March 15. President Trump asserted that the strikes have led to substantial degradation of Houthi capabilities; however, behind closed doors, military officials have conveyed a less optimistic assessment of the campaign’s outcomes.
According to insiders attending classified briefings, officials noted that despite an intensified bombing strategy significantly outpacing previous efforts under the Biden administration, many Houthi installations remain intact. The group's resilience, bolstered by reinforced bunkers, is obstructing U.S. efforts to curtail Houthi missile attacks targeting commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea.
This operation, which features the deployment of heavy military assets including two aircraft carriers, B-2 bombers, and advanced missile defense systems, highlights the financial and operational strain of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Even as the strikes intensify, the Pentagon's challenges underscore the difficulty of achieving decisive results against a well-entrenched adversary.
According to insiders attending classified briefings, officials noted that despite an intensified bombing strategy significantly outpacing previous efforts under the Biden administration, many Houthi installations remain intact. The group's resilience, bolstered by reinforced bunkers, is obstructing U.S. efforts to curtail Houthi missile attacks targeting commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea.
This operation, which features the deployment of heavy military assets including two aircraft carriers, B-2 bombers, and advanced missile defense systems, highlights the financial and operational strain of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Even as the strikes intensify, the Pentagon's challenges underscore the difficulty of achieving decisive results against a well-entrenched adversary.
