On Friday, October 4, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its forces conducted strikes on 15 Houthi targets in areas controlled by the Iran-backed group, which is designated as a terrorist organization internationally.

According to a statement from CENTCOM shared on the platform X & seen by Barran Press, the targeted sites included the "offensive military capabilities" of the Houthis. The statement emphasized that these actions are intended to "protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer for American and coalition vessels, as well as commercial ships."

Earlier that day, U.S. aircraft carried out 15 airstrikes against Houthi positions in the provinces of Sana'a (north), Al-Hudaydah (west), Al-Bayda, and Dhamar (central Yemen). Houthi media reported that U.S.-British airstrikes specifically targeted a maintenance camp on North Sixty Street in the capital, Sana'a, with four strikes.

In Al-Hudaydah, four strikes hit the Al-Kathib area, while three targeted Al-Hudaydah International Airport. Additionally, one strike occurred south of Dhamar, and three targeted the Mikiras district in Al-Bayda province.

These airstrikes come less than a week after Israeli strikes targeted two ports and power stations in Al-Hudaydah, responding to a missile attack by the Houthis on Tel Aviv.

Since November of last year, the Iran-supported Houthi group has been launching missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. In an effort to deter these actions, U.S. and British forces have been conducting strikes against Houthi installations since January 12, with the U.S. military occasionally targeting missiles and drones it claims are prepared for launch.