US B-2 Bombers Strike Houthi Weapons Sites in Yemen
The United States military launched precision strikes on Wednesday, targeting Houthi-controlled weapons storage facilities in Yemen. These strikes were aimed at sites linked to recent attacks on both civilian and military vessels. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes were in response to the growing threat posed by the Iran-backed Houthi militia in the region.
US Targets Houthi Weapon Storage Sites
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that the strikes targeted five underground storage locations housing weapons used by the Houthis. “American forces successfully hit several underground facilities storing weapon components that the Houthis have utilized in attacks on civilian and military vessels,” Austin stated.
B-2 Bombers in Action
The Pentagon disclosed that the airstrikes utilized precision-guided munitions delivered by B-2 bombers. These strikes successfully destroyed hardened underground storage sites, which were critical to the Houthi militia’s operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. These areas are vital for global shipping routes.
A US defense official, speaking to ABC News, explained that the weapons stored in these underground sites were used to target military and civilian vessels navigating through international waters in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Houthi Media Claims Additional Strikes
Houthi-controlled Al Masirah TV reported that airstrikes also hit Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and the northern city of Saada. However, US officials have not yet verified these claims. CENTCOM is currently conducting a battle damage assessment, with initial reports indicating no civilian casualties.
Rising Threat to Shipping in the Region
The Iran-backed Houthi militia has escalated missile and drone attacks on shipping vessels, particularly in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Publicly supporting Hamas, the Houthis have increasingly targeted vessels in the Red Sea and surrounding waters, which see an annual trade flow of $1 trillion in goods. Several shipping companies have suspended operations in the area due to the heightened risk.
