US Central Command (CENTCOM) disclosed on social media platform X that, on February 9, U.S. armed forces launched a sequence of self-defense strikes targeting Yemen. The mission spanned a broad window from 03:00 to 21:40 local time in Sana’a, a period during which coalition forces reported ongoing assessments of the situation on the ground.
According to CENTCOM, the operation involved a coordinated mix of assets, including two surface unmanned aerial vehicles, four mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, and a land-launched cruise missile that appeared aimed at vessels operating in the Red Sea corridor. The statement noted that several targets were identified within areas controlled by Houthi forces in Yemen.
Earlier reporting indicated additional U.S. actions against rebel positions linked to the Ansarullah movement, commonly known as the Houthis, with an attack noted on February 7.
In another development, on February 5, multiple strikes were reported in the western and northern regions of Yemen, specifically series of actions in the governorates of Hodeidah and Saada. These details contribute to a pattern cited by analysts and official briefings about ongoing strategic pressure in the region.
Separately, a former permanent representative of Iran to the United Nations stated that Tehran was not supplying weapons to the Houthis, a claim that has been part of broader diplomatic exchanges about the sources and scope of external assistance in Yemen. [citation attributed to official statements and diplomacy coverage]
Observers note that such military activities occur within the broader context of Yemen’s protracted conflict, with regional powers monitoring developments closely. The U.S. and allied partners have repeatedly described these operations as limited, targeted, and in response to threats to regional security and the safety of maritime routes through the Red Sea. Analysts emphasize the importance of verifying casualty figures and assessing the longer-term implications for humanitarian conditions in Yemen, which remain fragile in many areas. [diplomatic briefings and defense department summaries]
As the situation evolves, official communications stress that actions are conducted in self-defense and aimed at neutralizing perceived threats to shipping lanes and regional stability. Questions from international observers focus on the legal foundations, proportionality, and potential escalation risks in the days ahead. Stakeholders continue to call for adherence to international humanitarian norms and greater transparency about targets, methods, and outcomes. [international commentary]