The U.S. military has spent $200 million on airstrikes in Yemen in just three weeks, but the campaign has so far yielded little success against the Houthi rebels and is straining America’s strategic readiness.
AT A GLANCE
- Operation Rough Rider has cost $200 million in under a month; costs may soon surpass $1 billion.
- Houthi rebels have avoided major damage by hiding weapons in underground bunkers.
- Three MQ-9 Reaper drones, each worth $30 million, have been shot down.
- The Pentagon is using up precision munitions needed for broader national defense priorities.
- Officials privately admit the campaign’s impact has been limited despite public claims of progress.
A Pricey Bombing Campaign with Minimal Impact
The U.S. launched Operation Rough Rider with the goal of curbing Houthi drone and missile attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. But in just three weeks, the effort has already consumed $200 million worth of precision-guided bombs and long-range missiles. Two U.S. aircraft carriers were deployed to support the mission, along with bombers and fighter jets, further increasing costs. Pentagon projections now estimate the total cost could exceed $1 billion.
Though intended as a decisive campaign to degrade Houthi capabilities, the operation has yielded modest returns. According to Caliber.az, military officials are now weighing a request to Congress for more funds.
Houthis Stay a Step Ahead
Despite the barrage of airstrikes, the Houthis have proven to be elusive targets. Intelligence officials briefing Congress admitted that the group had wisely stored munitions in reinforced underground bunkers. These hidden stockpiles have blunted the impact of U.S. precision strikes, raising concerns about whether the campaign is effectively weakening the group’s offensive capabilities.
While Pentagon spokespeople have touted “successful hits” on Houthi command nodes and weapons systems, those statements clash with internal assessments that paint a murkier picture. Reporting by The American Conservative suggests there is growing disillusionment within defense circles over the operation’s actual achievements.
Equipment Losses Add to Strategic Worries
One of the most visible setbacks in the campaign has been the downing of several U.S. drones. At least three MQ-9 Reapers—each carrying a price tag of about $30 million—have been shot down by Houthi forces. That’s nearly $90 million in hardware lost to a rebel group operating in one of the world’s poorest countries.
The losses are not just financial. With a national inventory of only about 230 Reapers as of late 2024, the hits to U.S. drone capacity are being felt across multiple theaters. This depletion of advanced surveillance and strike capability comes at a time when global tensions are high, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.
Watch coverage of the Pentagon’s Yemen campaign losses.
Bombs Over Strategy?
Beyond the drone losses, the operation is also draining America’s supply of precision munitions. These are the same munitions military leaders say would be critical in the event of a future conflict with China over Taiwan. Defense analysts warn that this spending spree in Yemen could ultimately compromise national preparedness for higher-stakes confrontations.
Although Pentagon officials publicly defend the campaign, insiders report growing anxiety about what appears to be a long-term, resource-intensive operation with no clear endpoint. One defense source told Caliber.az that if the strikes continue at their current pace, they could last up to six months—far longer than originally anticipated.
Mounting Pressure for a Course Correction
The growing disconnect between public optimism and private discontent is stoking broader debates within Washington. Lawmakers are pressing the Department of Defense to justify both the cost and strategic value of Operation Rough Rider. With every drone lost and missile launched, critics say the operation is veering dangerously close to becoming another prolonged and ineffective military entanglement.
If results don’t improve soon, the Trump administration may face mounting political pressure to either redefine the mission or draw it down altogether. Until then, American taxpayers are left footing the bill for a bombing campaign whose long-term benefits remain unclear.
