CENTCOM Strikes Houthi Weapons in Yemen Amid Rising Threats to Israel and Regional Stability

On Wednesday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted precision airstrikes on Houthi-controlled underground advanced conventional weapons storage facilities in Yemen. The operation, which follows a strategic meeting between CENTCOM's Deputy Commander, Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Amir Baram, highlights the escalating concerns over Houthi attacks in the region.

The Houthis have been a persistent threat, conducting strikes against U.S. Navy vessels and merchant ships in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. CENTCOM’s airstrikes aim to degrade the Iranian-backed group’s capability to threaten military and civilian vessels, marking a significant effort to secure regional maritime stability.

The Houthis, backed by Iran, have been increasingly launching ballistic missiles toward Israel. These missiles, which have forced millions of Israelis into bomb shelters, are part of a broader strategy by the militant group to destabilize the region. Despite several large-scale airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas, including the group's maritime ports and international airports, the missile launches have continued.

On Sunday, the Houthis fired another ballistic missile at Israel, continuing a pattern of frequent attacks that have been ongoing for weeks. While there have been no fatalities from these missile strikes since July 2024, the damage has been substantial, including a school in Tel Aviv that incurred NIS 11 million in damages from falling shrapnel.

Joint U.S.-Israel Strategy

The meeting between CENTCOM’s Cooper and the IDF’s Baram in Israel on Tuesday underscored the growing cooperation between the U.S. and Israel in countering Houthi aggression and other terrorist organizations in the Middle East. The two military leaders discussed strategies to counter the rising threat posed by the Houthis, including intelligence-sharing efforts to monitor missile activities and potential threats to their countries.

The collaboration included a visit to several Israeli Air Force (IAF) bases, including Nevatim, where joint training exercises involving U.S. and Israeli fighter jets were held. The exercises were aimed at improving coordinated operations in the region, particularly in striking long-range targets.

The Persistent Houthi Missile Campaign

Since the escalation of Houthi missile attacks, the group has launched over 200 ballistic missiles and 200 drones at Israel. Despite air-defense systems intercepting many of these attacks, the frequency and persistence of the launches remain a significant challenge for Israeli defense forces. Israel has vowed to target Houthi leadership as part of its broader strategy to halt the missile barrage, but so far, this has yet to yield a significant change in the situation.

In addition to the aerial defenses, both the Mossad and U.S. intelligence agencies are intensifying efforts to gather actionable intelligence on the Houthis to preempt future attacks. However, the ongoing threat has raised concerns about the broader implications for regional security, particularly with the involvement of Iranian-backed militias.