U.S. Airstrikes Target Houthi Missile Platform in Yemen, Kill Over 200 Militants
On April 22, 2025, the U.S. conducted airstrikes against Houthi missile platforms near Taiz, part of a campaign resulting in over 200 Houthi deaths since mid-March 2025. The strikes, aimed at protecting Red Sea navigation, intensified due to increased Houthi attacks on shipping amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, raising concerns about regional stability.
hassan benyoub 
Taiz, Yemen – The United States conducted two airstrikes targeting a Houthi missile launch platform northwest of Taiz on April 22, 2025, according to sources from Al Arabiya and Al Hadath. This latest operation is part of a broader U.S. military campaign that has resulted in the deaths of at least 200 Houthi militants since mid-March 2025, escalating efforts to secure maritime navigation in the Red Sea.
Details of the Latest Airstrikes
In addition to the Taiz strikes, U.S. aircraft carried out multiple raids on Houthi positions in Al-Hazm district, Al-Jawf governorate, as well as weapons depots and camps in Al-Husn district, southeast of Sanaa, and Sanhan district, south of the capital. Further strikes hit arms storage sites at Jabal Naqam, a strategic location used by the Houthis. Sources confirmed that U.S. warplanes renewed their attacks on Houthi sites across Yemen on the evening of April 21, 2025, bringing the total number of airstrikes in three governorates to 23, targeting key military infrastructure.
Casualty Reports and Houthi Media Blackout
Field sources and documented statistics, compiled by the Yemeni media platform Yemen Future, confirmed that at least 200 Houthi fighters have been killed since the U.S. operations began in mid-March 2025. The casualties were reported in two batches: the first included 60 names, followed by a month-long pause in announcements, before the group disclosed funerals for an additional 141 fighters. Despite this, the Houthis have enforced a strict media blackout, prohibiting the dissemination of information about the locations or timings of the airstrikes on official platforms and social media to mitigate their operational and psychological impact.
Scale of U.S. Operations
Since mid-March 2025, the U.S. has launched approximately 1,000 airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in northern and western Yemen, according to Houthi estimates. These operations aim to protect maritime navigation in the Red Sea, following hundreds of Houthi attacks on commercial vessels they claim are bound for Israel. The U.S. has vowed to continue targeting Houthi sites, with recent strikes focusing on weapons depots, missile platforms, and military camps, as part of a broader strategy to curb the group’s capabilities, as noted in NPR.
Regional and International Context
The Houthis, an Iranian-backed group, have escalated attacks on shipping in the Red Sea since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, prompting U.S. and U.K. airstrikes starting in January 2024, as reported by BBC. The intensified U.S. campaign under President Trump has targeted the Houthis’ military infrastructure, aiming to pressure Iran, which the U.S. accuses of supporting the group’s actions, according to ABC News. The conflict has drawn international attention, with the U.S. emphasizing the need to secure vital shipping routes amid the ongoing Yemen war.
Looking Ahead
As the U.S. continues its military operations against the Houthis, the death toll and destruction of key infrastructure are likely to further weaken the group’s operational capacity. However, the Houthis’ media blackout and Iran’s continued support may prolong the conflict, raising questions about the long-term effectiveness of the airstrikes in achieving regional stability. The international community remains focused on the broader implications for Yemen and Red Sea security.
Stay updated on U.S. military operations in Yemen and Red Sea developments with our ongoing coverage.
