U.S. Ambassador to Yemen, Steven Fagin, announced on Friday that recent airstrikes are specifically targeting senior Houthi leaders and their military infrastructure. Speaking at a U.S. Embassy reception in Yemen commemorating the 249th anniversary of U.S. Independence Day, attended by Yemen’s Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Muammar Al-Eryani, Fagin stated the objective is to dismantle the capabilities of the Iran-backed Houthis, an internationally designated terrorist organization. He emphasized that the strikes are designed to avoid civilian hostages in Houthi-controlled areas.

According to Yemen's official news agency, SABA, Ambassador Fagin elaborated that the operation aims to eliminate key Houthi figures and destroy their weapons depots, manufacturing sites, command centers, and other facilities used for missile, drone, and explosive boat attacks.

Fagin also highlighted intensified U.S. efforts to disrupt the flow of weapons to the Houthis and strengthen regional cooperation to sever their financial networks. He reiterated the U.S. commitment to Yemeni peace and prosperity, a comprehensive political solution, and Red Sea maritime security, while condemning Houthi attacks on international shipping lanes as detrimental to Yemen's future.