US Airstrikes Targeting Houthi Strongholds in Yemen Kill 500 in a Month, According to Reports

The US has carried out a series of airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, claiming the lives of approximately 500 fighters over the past month, according to several American officials. The information was reported by Al Arabiya, which stated that over the last 35 days, the US has conducted continuous air and naval operations inside Yemen.

As the scope of these operations expands into new regions of Yemen, officials expect the death toll to rise further. Intelligence sources reveal that many of the casualties include top-tier Houthi leaders, drone operators, and missile experts—key operatives of the group.

One source told Al Arabiya that multiple Houthi training camps have been destroyed in these US strikes, with no fighters surviving the attacks. Officials have also indicated that the Houthis are pressuring the families of fallen fighters to remain silent and are only publicly acknowledging lower-level casualties to avoid spreading panic.

However, a Yemeni citizen, Sheikh Jamal Al-Mamari, who was previously held captive by the Houthis, claimed on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that the number of Houthi casualties exceeds 650. The media has not independently verified this figure or confirmed the accuracy of the casualty list.

The strikes have also resulted in civilian casualties, though the exact number of Yemeni civilians killed remains unclear. These operations have significantly weakened Houthi military capabilities.

Reports indicate that US operations continued until late Monday night and are expected to persist. There are preparations underway for a ground offensive to forcibly relocate key Houthi-controlled ports and the capital, amid growing tensions.

In addition, US military losses have mounted; at least five MQ-9 Reaper drones, each valued at around $30 million, have been lost during these operations, as multiple American media outlets reported. The ongoing conflict underscores the intense and costly nature of US involvement in Yemen’s protracted conflict.