Walked into his girlfriend’s building…
Late Friday, a senior Houthi military official believed to be the group’s top missile commander was killed in a US airstrike in Sana’a, Yemen. The strike, confirmed by multiple US officials in internal communications, came after the individual was positively identified entering a residential building reportedly linked to his girlfriend.
At 5:13 p.m. ET, Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL) wrote: “The first target—their top missile guy—was positively ID’d walking into his girlfriend’s building. It’s now collapsed.”
The strike was part of a broader US military operation initiated Friday afternoon following a directive from President Trump to restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and respond to Houthi aggression against commercial shipping.
According to a strike timeline distributed by Department of Defense adviser Pete Hegseth, the first F-18s launched at 12:15 pm, followed by armed drones at 1:45 pm, and precision strikes beginning at 2:15 pm. A second wave of F-18s launched at 2:10 pm, with Tomahawk missiles firing by 3:36 pm.
Also read: Atlantic releases full leaked Signal chat of Trump officials sharing strike details. Check complete text
A Clear Target
Officials had tracked the Houthi commander’s movements for some time. The strike was triggered once he entered the building.
“VP, building collapsed. Had multiple positive IDs,” Waltz wrote to the team at 5:10 pm.
Vice President JD Vance responded: “What?”
Waltz clarified: “Typing too fast. The first target—their top missile guy—was positively ID’d walking into his girlfriend’s building. It’s now collapsed.”
“Excellent,” Vance replied at 5:14 pm.
The identity of the target has not been released publicly, but officials described him as a central figure in coordinating the Houthis’ missile and drone campaign that has disrupted shipping in the Red Sea for months.
Green Light from the President
The strike came just hours after coordination among the White House, Pentagon, State Department, intelligence agencies, and senior lawmakers. Earlier that morning, Waltz had informed the group that the President’s guidance had been delivered:
“Team, you should have a statement of conclusions with taskings per the President’s guidance this morning in your high-side inboxes,” he wrote at 8:05 a.m.
The White House also tasked the State Department and Department of Defense with drafting regional notification lists for allies. The Joint Staff provided a “specific sequence of events” for the day’s operations, according to Waltz.
Though there was internal debate earlier in the week about the timing, consensus quickly formed by Friday.
Vice President Vance had cautioned against acting without clearer public messaging and more time to prepare.
“There is a real risk that the public doesn’t understand this or why it’s necessary,” he wrote Thursday.
“I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. However, there is a strong argument for delaying this by a month.”
DoD adviser Pete Hegseth disagreed: “We are prepared to execute, and if I had the final go/no-go vote, I believe we should. This is not about the Houthis; I see it as: Restoring freedom of navigation—a core national interest. Reestablishing deterrence, which Biden cratered.”
Vance ultimately supported the operation, writing Friday morning: “If you think we should do it, let’s go. I just hate bailing Europe out again.”
Deterrence, Not Delay
Hegseth emphasized the risks of waiting.
“Two immediate risks of waiting:
This leaks, and we look indecisive.
Israel takes an action first—or the Gaza ceasefire falls apart—and we don’t get to start this on our own terms.”
He added that messaging would be critical.
“Nobody knows who the Houthis are—which is why we must stay focused on: Biden failed. Iran funded.”
Following confirmation of the successful strike, officials praised the intelligence and operations teams involved.
“The team in MAL did a great job as well,” Waltz noted. “CENTCOM was on point. Great job all,” Hegseth added. “More strikes ongoing tonight; full initial report tomorrow.”
Senior Trump adviser Susie Wiles also weighed in: “Kudos to all—most particularly those in theater and CENTCOM! Really great. God bless.” Strikes continued into the night, with additional targets expected to be hit over the weekend. According to officials, the operation remains in its early phases, with further briefings planned for the President, Vice President, and senior staff. The Pentagon and White House have not yet issued a public statement.
