U.S. Central Command reveals Killing of Houthi Drone Expert in Iraq
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed the killing of a Houthi-affiliated expert in an airstrike targeting a site inside Iraqi territory, where he was reportedly working alongside members of Kataib Hezbollah and Lebanese Hezbollah to provide technical support in drone operations.
The announcement came from General Michael Kurilla during a hearing before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, where he stated that the strike was carried out in April 2024 and was part of Washington's broader efforts to 'contain Iranian regional influence and prevent advanced weapons from reaching militia groups.'
Kurilla emphasized that, despite receiving heavy blows, the Houthi group still poses an "active threat to international navigation" in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait. He also revealed that approximately 80% of Houthi military supplies arrive via maritime smuggling routes originating in Iran.
Additionally, he disclosed the existence of a confidential agreement recently reached between the U.S. and the Houthis, in which both sides agreed to suspend attacks—maritime and aerial respectively—allowing four American destroyers to safely transit through the Red Sea.
Observers note that this incident highlights the increasing level of cooperation between Iran-aligned militias in the region and reflects the expanding reach of Houthi operations beyond Yemen's borders, amid continued instability across multiple conflict zones.
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