The Houthi rebels likely hid their missiles and drones before the US-led air attacks and retain about 75% of their firepower, report says

• Despite US attacks, the Houthi rebel group retains around 75% of its offensive strike power.
• The Iran-backed group was targeted by the US after its continued assaults on Red Sea shipping.

The Houthi rebels retain around 75% of their missile- and drone-firing capabilities despite US-led attacks against the group in Yemen earlier this week, The New York Times reported, citing US officials.

Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims II, the director of operations of the Joint Staff, seemed confident on Friday that the US and the UK strikes had achieved their intended goal of disrupting the Houthi's offensive capabilities by targeting munitions depots, missile launching systems and air defense radar systems.

"We know precisely the capability that the Houthis have been employing against the Red Sea and the Bab al Mandab," Sims II said.

"This was solely designed to get after the capability that is impeding international freedom of navigation in international waters. We feel pretty confident we did good work on that," he added.

But two unnamed US officials told The Times on Saturday that the operation had only destroyed or damaged about 20-30% of the group's offensive capabilities. Most of its weapons systems can be moved and hidden quickly as they are on mobile platforms, per the report.

The officials also warned that the Houthis were likely to hit back, but one said the group appeared to be split on how to act.

"My guess is that the Houthis are trying to figure things out on the ground and trying to determine what capabilities still exist for them," Sims II said. "I would expect that they will attempt some sort of retaliation."

The US and the UK, supported by the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain, and Australia, fired more than 150 munitions at areas controlled by the Iran-backed group in response to its continued assaults on ships traversing the Red Sea.

A joint statement on the strikes released by 10 countries on Friday said that the move came as the Houthis persisted in targeting Red Sea shipping despite strong warnings calling for it to stop, with "numerous missiles and one-way attack aerial vehicles" launched at vessels on January 9 — including at US and UK ships.

"Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea," the statement added. "But let our message be clear: we will not hesitate to defend lives and ensure the free flow of commerce in one of the world's most critical waterways in the face of continued threats."

The Houthi attacks began in response to Israel's major offensive against Gaza following Hamas' October 7 attacks.

Nicholas Brumfield, a Middle East politics researcher who focuses on Yemen and maritime security, wrote in a report for the Foreign Policy Research Institute that the "attacks are unlikely to cease, and may in fact escalate further, so long as Israel's campaign continues."

It has caused major concern over disruption to shipping in the region as some big shipping companies suspended operations as the attacks escalated.

Insurance costs for vessels traveling through the Red Sea have also soared, with the most expensive ships potentially having to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars more per journey, David Osler, an insurance editor for Lloyd's List Intelligence, previously told The Associated Press.