An Unexpected Twist: Yemen Is China’s First Line of Defense

NYN | Reports and Analyses

A report by the U.S.-based outlet The Cradle highlighted growing concerns within the U.S. military over the need to divert long-range precision munitions from the Asia-Pacific region due to heavy consumption caused by the ongoing war in Yemen.

The report, published on Wednesday, stated that Washington is increasingly worried about how this military campaign could undermine its preparedness for a potential conflict with China.

It cited statements from congressional officials to The New York Times, who acknowledged that U.S. readiness in the Pacific is being affected by the Pentagon’s deployment of warships and aircraft, making equipment maintenance a growing challenge under such strained conditions.

The report added that the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, which has repeatedly been targeted by Sanaa’s forces in the Red Sea, has now joined the USS Carl Vinson, already stationed in the western Pacific.

It went on to note that precision munitions such as Tomahawk missiles, JASSM cruise missiles, and air-to-air missiles have been significantly depleted since the Yemen campaign began in January 2024, especially after attacks intensified in March.

A senior U.S. defense official warned that the Pentagon faces real operational risks should a conflict with China break out, given that the campaign in Yemen has cost over $1 billion in less than three weeks.

Despite the use of expensive and advanced weaponry, Sanaa’s air force continues to launch ballistic missiles and drones, as the Pentagon scrambles to intercept and destroy them.

The campaign has resulted in the death and injury of 330 civilians since March.

U.S. Secretary of Defense has already declared that the situation in the region is on the verge of becoming even more dire.