SOFREP Evening Brief: Suspected US Airstrikes Kill 10 in Yemen, Russian Drone Strikes Wound 21 Across Ukraine as Ceasefire Efforts Stall

A fast-moving snapshot of key developments shaping the global defense landscape: US airpower is ramping up in Yemen, while the Trump administration takes a mixed approach to foreign aid in conflict zones. In Syria, troop shifts signal early steps toward reconciliation. Africa sees political tension rise ahead of Gabon’s post-coup election. Meanwhile, Washington sharpens its posture against Beijing in the Panama Canal, and Russia’s drone war in Ukraine continues to escalate as China pushes back on fresh battlefield accusations. Here’s your SOFREP evening brief for Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

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Suspected US Airstrikes Kill 10 in Yemen as Anti-Houthi Campaign Escalates

Suspected US airstrikes hit multiple areas in Yemen overnight Tuesday, killing at least 10 people and wounding 16 near the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, according to Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

The strikes reportedly targeted Hodeida’s al-Hawak district near the airport, a site previously used by the Houthis to launch attacks on shipping.

The Houthis also aired footage of wreckage they claimed belonged to a downed US MQ-9 Reaper drone in al-Jawaf governorate.

Yemen’s Houthi claim to have shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over the northern Al-Jawf governorate.

🔴LIVE updates: https://t.co/z6LXLFVq94 pic.twitter.com/qjN4h0LfMV

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) April 9, 2025

If confirmed, it would be the 22nd MQ-9 drone the Houthis say they’ve shot down — 18 of which they claim were downed during the current conflict linked to the Israel-Hamas war.

Additional US strikes reportedly hit other rebel-held regions, including Amran, Jebel Nuqum, Dhamar, and Ibb. The Houthis said strikes in Amran targeted telecommunications equipment, while three civilians were injured in other regions.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has not confirmed the latest strikes but has carried out over 200 operations since the current campaign began on March 15. The Biden administration had previously focused on launch sites, but under President Donald Trump’s administration, the campaign has intensified, reportedly targeting Houthi leadership and urban areas.

Arming aircraft aboard USS Harry S. Truman for operations against Iran-backed Houthis…#HouthisAreTerrorists pic.twitter.com/tLrXQsu314

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 7, 2025

The Houthis have attacked over 100 merchant vessels since November 2023, sinking two and killing four sailors. The group claims their operations are in response to Israel’s blockade of aid to Gaza. Their broad definition of “Israeli” ships has placed much commercial traffic in the region at risk.

The US air campaign has also been linked to broader efforts to pressure Iran over its nuclear program.

 

Pro-Turkey Forces Scale Back in Afrin Amid Syria-Kurdish Reconciliation Deal

Pro-Turkey Syrian groups have reduced their military presence in Afrin, a historically Kurdish-majority region in northern Syria, according to a Syrian defense ministry official.

The move follows a recent agreement between Syria’s new leadership and Kurdish authorities aimed at facilitating the return of tens of thousands of displaced Kurds who fled during the 2018 Turkish-led offensive.

The official said the factions have scaled down checkpoints and troop levels in Afrin but remain in the area for now. Plans to station them in Syrian Army posts have been complicated by regular Israeli airstrikes targeting those positions.

Following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in December, Syria’s new authorities began dismantling armed factions and integrating them into a unified national army—an effort that includes pro-Turkey groups operating in the north.

The 2018 offensive by Turkish forces and allied Syrian factions displaced roughly half of Afrin’s 320,000 residents. Kurdish officials and rights groups have accused pro-Ankara forces of committing human rights abuses during their occupation.

As part of a broader reintegration deal, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)—which played a key role in defeating ISIS with US coalition support—has begun coordinating with Damascus.

Kurdish fighters recently withdrew from two Aleppo neighborhoods, and SDF representatives are pushing for local forces to oversee security in Afrin and for international supervision of refugee returns.

Pro-Turkey factions reduce presence in Afrin, Syria, amid return deal

The Syrian National Army has reduced its military presence in Afrin, northern Syria, a defense official said Tuesday, following a deal between Kurdish officials and Syria’s new leadership allowing displaced… pic.twitter.com/yW50K6YedN

— ⚖️ أبو هلال 🌙 (@SyriaNewsMan) April 9, 2025

Kurdish official Bedran Kurd called the Aleppo withdrawal “the first phase of a broader plan” to ensure the safe return of Afrin’s original population.

The SDF continues to negotiate terms for its integration into Syria’s state institutions.

 

Trump Administration Partially Reverses Foreign Aid Cuts, Maintains Reductions in Afghanistan and Yemen

The Trump administration has reversed cuts to emergency food aid in several countries but maintained reductions in Afghanistan and Yemen—two of the most vulnerable and war-ravaged nations—US and UN officials said Wednesday.

The initial aid cuts were part of a broader rollback of foreign assistance led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The moves, which impacted more than a dozen countries, sparked backlash from aid agencies who warned the cuts would deprive millions of food, healthcare, and life-saving services.

Following media coverage and behind-the-scenes pressure from UN officials and members of Congress, Musk associate Jeremy Lewin rescinded some of the terminations.

Funding has been restored for emergency programs in Somalia, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Ecuador, according to USAID and UN officials. The status of programs in six other unnamed nations remains unclear.

USAID officials attributed the initial cuts to a “miscommunication.”

WFP is grateful to the US for continuing to prioritize lifesaving food assistance to those facing hunger on the frontlines of crisis.

Donor contributions are essential for WFP to reach the most vulnerable. pic.twitter.com/RMl81Y80aF

— World Food Programme (@WFP) April 9, 2025

However, the cuts remain in place for Afghanistan and Yemen.

In Afghanistan, more than 23 million people—over half the population—require humanitarian assistance. The US reportedly slashed $560 million in aid, affecting food programs, maternal care, clean water, and mental health services. The World Food Program (WFP) warned that aid to 2 million people and nutrition support for over 650,000 women and children will end later this year.

In Yemen, the cuts would eliminate food assistance to 2.4 million people and halt nutrition care for 100,000 children. The country remains at risk of famine after nearly a decade of war between Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and a Saudi-led coalition supported by the US. The WFP warned the cuts in southern Yemen—controlled by the internationally recognized government—could worsen instability and deepen the economic crisis.

The Trump administration has reversed sweeping cuts in emergency food aid to several nations while maintaining them in Afghanistan and Yemen, two of the world’s poorest and most war-ravaged countries, officials said Wednesday. https://t.co/pgDqsz0FXH

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) April 9, 2025

While the administration continues a military campaign of airstrikes against Houthi forces in response to attacks on international shipping, its parallel reduction in humanitarian aid raises serious concerns among analysts and aid workers about long-term consequences.

The US was the largest donor to the World Food Program in 2023, contributing $4.5 billion of its $9.8 billion budget. Previous administrations viewed such aid as a tool to combat extremism, alleviate poverty, and reduce forced migration. The current administration, however, has criticized foreign aid as ineffective and politically biased.

 

Gabon to Hold Presidential Election Following 2023 Coup

Gabon will hold its first presidential election this coming Saturday since a 2023 military coup ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, ending a political dynasty that ruled the country for over five decades.

Interim President Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who led the coup and heads the transitional government, is running in the election alongside seven other candidates.

Bongo was placed under house arrest following the coup but released a week later for health reasons. His wife and son were charged with corruption and embezzlement.

Oligui Nguema, a former Republican Guard chief and cousin to Bongo, pledged a return to civilian rule through credible elections.

Gabon’s newly adopted electoral code now permits military personnel to run for office and allowed Oligui Nguema’s candidacy. A new constitution passed in November limits presidents to two seven-year terms.

Election observers from the African Union and European Union will monitor the vote.

On Saturday, Gabon will hold its first presidential election since a 2023 coup ended the 56-year rule of the Bongo family. Coup leader Brice Oligui Nguema is tipped to cement his power on the oil-reliant country https://t.co/8m2mCQiaeg pic.twitter.com/1shFc0Zh9W

— Reuters (@Reuters) April 8, 2025

Oligui Nguema’s main challenger is former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who criticized the election as unfair and accused authorities of monopolizing state resources and controlling key electoral bodies. The government denied these claims, asserting that all candidates are treated fairly and eligible for partial reimbursement of campaign expenses.

Despite its oil wealth—Gabon exported $6 billion worth of oil in 2022—nearly 40% of youth aged 15 to 24 were unemployed, and over a third of the population lived below the poverty line.

The transitional government recorded a modest economic recovery, with gross domestic product (GDP) growth rising to 2.9% in 2024, driven by infrastructure development and expanded output in oil, manganese, and timber.

 

US Defense Secretary Warns of Chinese Threat to Panama Canal, Vows Joint Security With Panama

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tuesday that China poses a continuing threat to the Panama Canal and vowed increased cooperation with Panama to ensure its security.

Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new US-funded dock at the Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Naval Base, Hegseth said, “China does not operate this canal and China will not weaponize this canal.”

The visit followed a two-hour meeting with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, after which both leaders released a joint statement promising strengthened defense ties.

Hegseth emphasized recent steps taken to bolster US-Panama military coordination, calling them the most significant in decades. He criticized Chinese infrastructure holdings near the canal and warned of surveillance risks from China-based firms, referencing Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison, which holds a 25-year lease on ports at both ends of the canal. That lease is now under audit by the Panamanian government, and CK Hutchison is reportedly selling its controlling stake to a consortium that includes US-based BlackRock Inc.

The US statement alluded to discussions about canal tolls for US warships. A Spanish version of the joint statement acknowledged Panama’s sovereignty over the canal—wording absent in the English version.

Beijing responded sharply to Hegseth’s comments, accusing the US of “blackmail” and interfering in Panama’s sovereign decisions.

China’s embassy in Panama denounced what it called a “sensationalistic campaign” by Washington and defended its business ties with Panama.

The issue has gained traction under President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticized the tolls the US pays and questioned whether the Panama Canal should have been handed over in 1999.

Trump has also suggested revisiting the treaty that guaranteed the canal’s neutrality and transferring control back to the US.

Despite rising tensions, Mulino has rejected claims of Chinese control over canal operations and emphasized that Panama remains committed to neutrality and sovereignty.

The US built the canal in the early 20th century and transferred it to Panama under a treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter.

“Together with Panama in the lead, we will keep the canal secure and available for all nations through the deterrent power of the strongest, most effective and most lethal fighting force in the world,” Hegseth concluded.

 

Russian Drone Strikes Wound 21 Across Ukraine as Ceasefire Efforts Stall

At least 21 Ukrainians were wounded in a wave of Russian drone attacks overnight, Ukrainian regional officials said Wednesday, as Moscow intensified its aerial assault despite ongoing US ceasefire efforts.

The most severe attack hit the Dnipropetrovsk region, where 15 people aged between 18 and 87 were injured, according to Governor Sergiy Lysak. Eight victims were hospitalized. Images posted by Lysak showed damaged buildings in the industrial area.

in moderate condition, one is in mild.

15 private houses and 4 high-rise buildings were damaged in the city, almost two dozen cars were damaged. There is destruction on the territory of several enterprises. Administrative buildings and infrastructure were

— Tracey SBU Fella 🇬🇧🇺🇦 #NAFO (@trajaykay) April 9, 2025

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 55 drones during the night, with air defenses intercepting 32.

In Donetsk, which Russia claims to have annexed, a drone strike on Kramatorsk wounded an 11-year-old girl, her mother, and grandmother. Additional injuries were reported in Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions.

Meanwhile, Russia’s defense ministry claimed it downed 158 Ukrainian drones targeting the country’s west and south. The attacks briefly disrupted operations at several civilian airports.

The Kremlin continues to demonstrate its refusal to substantively engage with the United States on proposed ceasefire agreements and future peace negotiations in Ukraine. ⬇️ https://t.co/xSWXEoq90x pic.twitter.com/5LZX54ev8t

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) April 9, 2025

Despite multiple rounds of negotiations led by the US, no progress has been made toward a ceasefire, as both sides continue large-scale offensive and defensive operations.

 

Beijing Denies Ukraine’s Claim of Chinese Fighters in Russian Army

China rejected Ukraine’s accusation that Chinese nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war, calling the claim “totally unfounded.”

The denial came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that two Chinese men had been captured fighting for Russia and that intelligence indicated more may be present on the battlefield.

This marks the first time Kyiv has accused Beijing of having citizens involved directly in combat operations since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

China has supported Moscow diplomatically and economically, supplying machine tools, microelectronics, and other dual-use goods that US and European officials say fuel Russia’s war industry.

China insists it has not provided Russia with military personnel or weaponry and reiterated that it urges its citizens to avoid conflict zones.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said any Chinese captured in Ukraine likely joined Russia’s military voluntarily, as both Russia and Ukraine accept foreign fighters.

“The Chinese government always asks Chinese nationals to stay away from areas of armed conflict”

Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese foreign office, spoke after two nationals were captured during fighting in Ukraine

Read more: https://t.co/FXBR8JALN6 pic.twitter.com/fnuFIs5LL9

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) April 9, 2025

The US responded sharply. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce labeled the report “disturbing” and accused China of enabling Russia’s war effort. She stated that China supplies nearly 80% of the dual-use goods Russia uses to produce tanks, missiles, and aircraft.

The European Union echoed this stance, calling China a “key enabler” of Moscow’s war.

Despite China’s attempts to portray itself as a neutral party and peace broker, its growing economic and technological support for Russia continues to draw scrutiny from Western allies and fuel international tensions.

Kash Patel Removed as Head of ATF

In a swift and unexpected move (at least to this writer), FBI Director Kash Patel has been removed from his concurrent role as Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

He has been replaced by U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, who will now oversee the ATF while maintaining his position as Army Secretary. This leadership change, confirmed by Justice Department officials, comes just weeks after Patel’s initial appointment to the ATF role in late February.

The transition occurs amid ongoing discussions within the Justice Department about potentially merging the ATF with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to streamline operations and reduce costs. ​

 

🚨 2A BREAKING NEWS 🚨

KASH PATEL OUT AT ATF pic.twitter.com/HNQzWgFQrj

— American Firearms Association (@2A_Freedom) April 9, 2025

Sources: News Agencies