Part II: Assessment of 30 Days of CENTCOM Large-Scale Operations Against the Houthis in Northern Yemen

By Basha Report

Over the past thirty days, CENTCOM has conducted forty-three distinct waves of airstrikes targeting Houthi-linked sites across northern Yemen. According to Al Masirah News Network reporting, these waves have amounted to at least 126 explicitly documented airstrikes, with the true number likely higher due to multiple strike waves with unspecified figures.

Geographically, the strikes have concentrated on four key governorates: Sa’dah, Hudaydah, Marib, and Sana’a. In Sa’dah, the heartland of Houthi power, U.S. airpower has persistently targeted districts such as Al‑Salem, Kitaf, Kahlan, Sahar, and Saqayn—maintaining pressure on core military infrastructure and logistics hubs. In Hudaydah, repeated strikes have focused on Kamaran Island and Ras Issa, aiming to neutralize the Houthis' naval and coastal radar capabilities. Kamaran was hit at least three times, including a 15-strike barrage in the 43rd wave, illustrating the strategic emphasis placed on maritime interdiction.

The U.S. operations have been executed by a combination of carrier-based F-18 and F-35 aircraft launched from the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea and the USS Carl Vinson in the Arabian Sea, along with Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) launched from Guided Missile Cruisers (CGs) and Destroyers (DDGs).

The operational tempo has been relentless—averaging more than one strike package per day. Some waves, particularly the 28th, 29th, and 43rd, featured up to eighteen individual strikes, reflecting the intensity and adaptability of CENTCOM’s campaign in the region.

In Marib, airstrikes have increasingly concentrated on active front-line districts such as Sirwah, Ragwan, Madghal, Al-Abdiyah, and Majzar, where Houthi units are engaged in ongoing clashes with the Yemeni National Army. For example, the 42nd wave delivered fifteen coordinated strikes in Ragwan and Madghal alone, signaling a deepening integration of U.S. airpower with anti-Houthi ground operations.

Meanwhile, in and around Sana’a, CENTCOM has targeted critical infrastructure including telecom towers, factories, properties, bases, and centers. These facilities are believed to serve as weapons manufacturing sites, as well as entrances to underground tunnels—dug deep into rock by the Houthis to safeguard arms stockpiles—and are integral to the group's command-and-control architecture.

The pattern of targeting has clearly evolved. Initial waves focused on saturation bombing around the outskirts of Sa’dah City. As the campaign progressed, strikes became more distributed, shifting toward front-line support in Marib, Al-Hudadayh, and infrastructure degradation along the Red Sea coast. The consistent targeting of Red Sea coastline underlines CENTCOM’s focus on cutting off supply chains and curbing the Houthis' seaborne logistics.

Additionally, CENTCOM has employed what can be described as infrastructure denial operations—targeting key sites such as the Al-Daylami Air Base, telecom relays, Ras Issa, and the Saleef seaport. These strikes are intended not only to diminish combat capabilities but to isolate the Houthis' logistics and communications, thereby hampering their broader operational cohesion.

However, the campaign has not been without controversy. Civilian casualties remain a serious concern. Although independent verification is limited, Houthi media have reported multiple civilian deaths and injuries. Airstrikes in densely populated areas such as Bani Matar, Qahazah, Sirwah, and Sahar increase the likelihood of civilian casualties.

From an operational perspective, the high frequency and scope of strikes—on some days exceeding ten separate engagements—have likely placed considerable stress on Houthi networks. The transition from wide-area interdiction to more tactical battlefield support in regions like Marib and Hudaydah signals a potential doctrinal shift in CENTCOM’s posture, aligning U.S. assets more closely with on-the-ground coalition efforts.