US spending billions on Yemen strikes with limited impact: Officials
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The US government acknowledges the limited impact its assault on Yemen has yielded, sparking doubts in its offensive as it nears its one-billion-dollar expenditure mark.
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Yemenis chant slogans during a weekly pro-Palestine rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday March, 28, 2025 (AP)
The United States has spent over $200 million in precision munitions alone in just three weeks of intensified strikes against alleged Ansar Allah targets in Yemen, with the total cost of the operation expected to surpass $1 billion by next week, the New York Times reported on Friday.
But despite the scale and expense of this offensive, US officials privately acknowledged it has been very limited in deterring Yemeni missile operations or downgrading their capabilities.
Although US President Donald Trump has described Ansar Allah as “decimated” by what the Pentagon has dubbed Operation Rough Rider, launched on March 15, military and intelligence officials speaking to Congress and allies in private briefings admit that most of the Yemenis' vast, underground arsenal of missiles and drones remains intact.
According to the report, reinforced bunkers and concealed weapons stockpiles have blunted the impact of daily airstrikes carried out by US Navy and Air Force aircraft.
The operation, significantly larger than any carried out under former President Joe Biden, involves two aircraft carriers, B-2 bombers, fighter jets, and air defense systems, including Patriots and THAAD, all deployed to the Middle East.
Officials warn that the heavy use of advanced long-range munitions, such as Tomahawk missiles and glide bombs, is putting pressure on US Navy stockpiles, raising concerns among Pentagon planners about preparedness for potential future conflicts, particularly with China over Taiwan.
Despite assertions by top Trump officials that the campaign has degraded the Ansar Allah leadership and communications, the group continues to consistently launch operations on shipping bound to the Israeli occupation through the Red Sea, and internal assessments suggest the strikes are not significantly altering their operational capabilities.
The NYT speculated that the White House may soon request supplemental funds from Congress to sustain the campaign, which some insiders say could last up to six months, a timeline denied by senior defense officials publicly but acknowledged privately in recent briefings.
US aggression on Yemen killed 92 civilians since mid-March
Meanwhile, reports from Yemen assert that several strikes have hit populated areas, with civilian casualties mounting. Human rights monitors and lawmakers from both parties have questioned the efficacy and legal clarity of the operation, demanding the administration present a clear strategy beyond military escalation.
At least 92 civilians have been killed and 165 others wounded in US airstrikes on Yemen since mid-March, Yemeni Health Ministry spokesperson Anis al-Asbahi announced on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, Al-Asbahi reported that five civilians were killed, five others injured, and one person was missing following the latest US strikes within the past 24 hours. He emphasized that Yemenis are aware of the challenges they face and remain prepared to confront them.
Since the start of Yemen’s military operations in support of Gaza in November 2023, the US-British-Israeli aggression has resulted in 964 civilian casualties, including 250 deaths, according to the Health Ministry. The latest figures account for casualties recorded up to April 1.
US airstrikes continue to target Yemeni provinces and cities, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis in the country.
Read more: Aggression will not deter Yemen, enemy to be disciplined: Al-Mashat
