“We are burning through readiness—munitions, fuel, deployment time.”
CNN
The U.S. military’s campaign against Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen has cost nearly $1 billion in under three weeks, with limited impact on their capabilities, CNN reports. Launched on March 15, the operation has used hundreds of millions worth of JASSM cruise missiles, JSOW glide bombs, and Tomahawks, according to officials.
Despite daily strikes, officials say the Houthis retain underground stockpiles and continue Red Sea attacks. “They’ve taken out some sites, but that hasn’t affected the Houthis’ ability to continue shooting at ships,” a source said.
The Pentagon may seek supplemental funds, but bipartisan criticism looms. Vice President JD Vance called the campaign “a mistake.” While some mid-level Houthi leaders were killed, a key drone commander also died in a strike, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz confirmed.
INDOPACOM officials are concerned about depleted munitions needed for potential conflict with China, but a defense official called that fear “an exaggeration.”