Operation Rough Rider, President Trump’s military campaign against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, has already cost American taxpayers over $200 million with limited success as the Pentagon faces unexpected challenges in destroying underground weapon stockpiles.
Quick Takes
- Operation Rough Rider’s costs have reached $200 million in just three weeks and could soon exceed $1 billion
- Pentagon officials privately acknowledge limited success in destroying Houthi weapons stored in fortified underground bunkers
- The campaign has depleted valuable precision munitions that may be needed for potential conflicts with China
- Houthi forces have shot down several $30 million MQ-9 Reaper drones, further increasing operational costs
- The operation could be extended, raising concerns about strategic resource allocation
Rising Costs and Limited Success
The Pentagon has spent approximately $200 million on munitions alone during the first three weeks of Operation Rough Rider in Yemen. Named by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the campaign aims to disrupt Houthi missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The operation began in mid-March after the Iran-backed militant group threatened attacks in this crucial maritime corridor. The costs include precision-guided bombs, long-range missiles, and the deployment of two aircraft carriers, bombers, fighter jets, and advanced air defense systems including Patriot and THAAD batteries.
Military analysts warn that total costs could exceed $1 billion in the near future, prompting Pentagon officials to consider requesting additional funding from Congress. This substantial financial burden comes at a time when military stockpiles, especially precision munitions, are already stretched thin due to other global commitments. The situation has raised concerns about the sustainability of the operation and its impact on America’s ability to respond to other strategic priorities, particularly potential conflicts with China over Taiwan.
Public Claims vs. Private Realities
While President Trump has publicly claimed that the Iranian-backed Houthi militants have been significantly weakened by the strikes, confidential briefings tell a different story. Pentagon officials have privately acknowledged that the bombing campaign has achieved only limited success in destroying the Houthis’ munitions, which are largely stored in fortified underground bunkers that are difficult to penetrate even with advanced weaponry. This disconnect between public statements and operational realities raises questions about the campaign’s effectiveness and transparency.
The Pentagon maintains that the strikes have disrupted Houthi command structures and reduced their missile attack capabilities. However, military planners estimate that the campaign could last up to six months or beyond, suggesting that officials recognize the challenges of completely neutralizing the Houthi threat. Meanwhile, the militant group has been reinforcing their defenses and adapting to American bombing patterns, further complicating the mission’s objectives and potentially extending its timeline.
Strategic Resource Depletion
One of the most concerning aspects of Operation Rough Rider is its impact on America’s military readiness for potential larger conflicts. The Houthis have successfully shot down several U.S. military drones, including three MQ-9 Reapers, each costing approximately $30 million. As of December 2024, the U.S. had only 230 MQ-9 Reaper drones in its stockpile, making these losses significant. Some Pentagon planners have expressed serious concerns about depleting U.S. stockpiles of precision munitions that would be needed to deter a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
The campaign’s bombing intensity has been heavier than previous strikes under the Biden administration and more extensive than publicly described, according to confidential briefings. With advanced weaponry being consumed at a rapid rate and valuable assets being lost to Houthi defenses, military strategists are increasingly questioning whether the operation’s benefits justify its considerable costs. The financial and strategic challenges of Operation Rough Rider highlight the complex calculations involved in America’s military engagements abroad and their impact on national security priorities.
