The Yemeni Houthi group reported significant losses in its ranks: 16 senior officers were killed as a result of airstrikes carried out by the US Armed Forces on rebel-held territories. This was reported on March 20, 2025, by the Saba agency, which is associated with the Houthis, specifying that funerals for the fallen commanders were held on the same day. The exact circumstances of their deaths, including the date and place, were not disclosed in the statement. However, the message appeared against the backdrop of new military operations by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which had previously published videos of US air strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen.

According to Houthi media, the US airstrikes hit several key areas. In Saada province, considered a rebel stronghold, the Al-Asayed district in Al-Safraa was attacked, as well as the outskirts of the city of the same name. In the port city of Hodeidah, five strikes were recorded on the group's warehouses in Zabid. In addition, the bombings hit the Al-Jarf district north of the capital Sanaa, as well as the provinces of Al-Bayda and Al-Jawf. Sources of the Arabic news network Al Arabiya specified that the targets were Houthi shelters, weapons depots and military facilities, including positions near the Ministry of Communications and the postal office in Sanaa and the Al-Saudia district in Al-Bayda.

The current wave of strikes began on March 15 at the direction of U.S. President Donald Trump, who described the operation as necessary to protect American interests and ensure the safety of shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. It involves a U.S. Navy carrier group led by the USS Harry S. Truman, which is stationed in the Red Sea. CENTCOM confirmed that the strikes are aimed at destroying Houthi infrastructure, including radars, air defense systems, and drone launchers used to attack commercial shipping.

The escalation of the conflict in Yemen is linked to the Houthis’ renewed attacks on international shipping after the collapse of the Gaza ceasefire in early March. On March 11, Houthi spokesman Yahya Saria announced a naval blockade against Israeli ships in the Red and Arabian Seas, demanding an end to the blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, Reuters reported. In response, Trump promised to use “crushing force” if the Houthis did not stop their attacks. According to The New York Times, since March 15, U.S. forces have struck dozens of targets, including weapons depots and command posts, killing more than 50 people, including civilians, according to the Houthis.

According to Al Jazeera, the Houthis have lost at least 15 people since the operation began on March 32, with more than 100 wounded. The rebels have accused the US of “war crimes” and promised retaliation. The group’s spokesman, Mohammed Abdul-Salam, said the strikes would not weaken their resolve to support the Palestinians, but would only strengthen their resistance. At the same time, Iran, the Houthis’ main ally, has condemned the US actions: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called them a violation of international law and called on Washington to stop supporting Israel.