THE UK and US blitz on the Houthis’ drone and missile stashes failed to destroy them all, it was disclosed yesterday — sparking fears of more Red Sea mayhem.
US officials said up to 30 per cent of rebel weaponry survived despite precision-guided strikes in Yemen on more than 60 targets.
British Typhoon war jets and American Lightning stealth bombers backed by cruise missiles hit 90 per cent of them in 30 locations, it was said
Iran, however, has supplied the Houthis with scores of mobile launch platforms that remain hidden from satellites and spy planes.
US intelligence admitted yesterday that around three quarters of the terror army’s hardware remained intact.
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Two US officials said even after hitting more than 60 missile and drone targets with more than 150 precision-guided munitions, 20-30 per cent of Houthi weaponry survived.
The first detailed assessments of the strikes have underlined the challenge facing Western forces attempting to secure the vital route carrying 12 per cent of global shipping.
Experts expect more air strikes once munitions depots and storage facilities are located.
Commanders revealed the first wave of U.S.-led strikes hit 60 targets in 16 locations with more than 100 precision-guided bombs and missiles on Thursday night..
A second wave of strikes was blitzed 12 more targets posing threats to aircraft and ships 30-60 minutes later, followed by “mopping up” attacks on Friday and Saturday..
But experts now say new tactics of blasting “pop-up targets” at short notice will be needed as soon as the Houthis attempt to moved or deploy weaponry.