NYN | News
A senior official at the Pentagon revealed the United States’ confusion regarding the growing military capabilities of the Houthis (Ansar Allah) in Yemen, acknowledging that the nature of their weaponry and its level of development remains “unclear” despite the intensive airstrikes conducted by the U.S. and its allies.
This was disclosed in an exclusive interview with The War Zone, an American military-focused website, which highlighted the intelligence challenge posed by the group.
The U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained to the website that airstrikes have not been able to disrupt the Houthis’ ability to manufacture weapons and employ them in innovative ways. He stated, “They are not technologically advanced in a groundbreaking way, but their creativity in developing offensive systems is amazing… we see them experimenting and developing in unconventional ways.”
He added that Washington believes the Houthis produce a significant portion of their weaponry locally within Yemen, noting that the nature of their activities makes tracking the sources of their arms a complex challenge.
He admitted, “The group sometimes surprises us with unexpected technologies, which makes us scratch our heads trying to understand their origin.”
Despite the clear caution in his statements due to the political and military hostility toward the Houthis, the official confirmed that they are the most militarily active force in the region, emphasizing that the lack of clarity regarding the size of their arsenal only increases their threat.
This acknowledgment comes at a time when reports are increasing about the Houthis (Ansar Allah) manufacturing advanced missile systems and drones, reflecting an intelligence gap faced by Washington in areas under the control of the Sana’a government.
