The United States conducted a significant military operation against the Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen on Wednesday evening, as announced by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Utilizing B-2 stealth bombers, the US targeted five underground weapons storage facilities linked to the Houthis, which are believed to house advanced conventional weaponry capable of striking military and civilian vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
“This was a unique demonstration of the United States’ ability to target facilities that our adversaries seek to keep out of reach, no matter how deeply buried underground, hardened, or fortified,” Austin stated.
He emphasized that the deployment of B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers showcases the US’s global strike capabilities and its readiness to act decisively against such threats.
This operation marks the first instance of the US employing B-2 bombers against Houthi positions since the onset of its military engagement in Yemen.
The B-2’s capabilities allow it to carry a heavier payload compared to the fighter jets previously used in similar strikes.
Austin explained that the airstrikes were authorized by President Joe Biden to “further degrade” the Houthis’ operational capacity, particularly following a series of assaults on US and international vessels over the past year.
The targeted facilities were reported to contain “various weapons components” used in these maritime attacks.
“We will continue to make clear to the Houthis that there will be consequences for their illegal and reckless attacks,” Austin added, reinforcing the US commitment to regional security.
The strikes come amidst heightened tensions in the region, as Israel prepares for potential retaliation against Iran for its recent missile strikes ahead of the November 5 US elections.
The ongoing conflicts involving Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza further complicate the situation.
Wednesday’s operation, conducted in the early hours of Thursday local time, represents a continuation of the cycle of hostilities between the Houthis and the US.
The Houthis have persistently targeted commercial shipping and US naval assets for several months. This strike also coincides with the arrival of US service members in Israel, following the announcement of the deployment of an advanced anti-missile system to safeguard against Iranian missile threats.
Although the US has previously collaborated with the UK in operations against the Houthis, this strike was executed solely by American forces.
According to US Central Command, the operation involved assets from both the Air Force and Navy.
Over the last year the US has carried out numerous strikes and interceptions of Houthi drones and missiles in a bid to protect maritime operations and weaken the Houthi arsenal.
Despite these efforts, the Houthi attacks have persisted. In September alone, the Houthis claimed to have launched about two dozen ballistic and cruise missiles and drones aimed at three US destroyers.
However, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed that “at no time” did these missiles or drones strike a US vessel, and there were no injuries to US personnel
She noted, “My understanding is that those were either engaged and shot down or failed.”
Earlier in October, the US targeted 15 Houthi positions in Yemen, including those related to offensive military capabilities, as part of its ongoing response to the threats posed by the group.
The Houthis have justified their aggressive actions as support for Hamas and, more recently, Hezbollah.
In September, they fired a missile that reached deep into Israeli territory, although Israeli assessments indicated that it “most likely fragmented in mid-air” without causing any injuries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned in September that the Houthis would face significant repercussions for their attacks, leading to Israeli airstrikes targeting Houthi infrastructure shortly thereafter.
Since then, the Houthis have intensified their missile and drone attacks, asserting that they are acting in solidarity with Hezbollah.
On October 1, they claimed to have launched drones, and on October 7, they fired missiles and drones at Israel, prompting the Israeli military to report interception of a surface-to-air missile originating from Yemen.
The ongoing assaults on commercial shipping by the Houthis have resulted in numerous casualties among mariners and have raised significant environmental concerns.
In August, a Greek-flagged vessel suffered an attack that left it ablaze and leaking oil, prompting the Pentagon to issue warnings about a “potential environmental catastrophe.”
The US maintains a formidable military presence in the region, especially following Hamas’s invasion of Israel last October.
Reports indicated that the US has deployed a carrier strike group, additional guided missile destroyers, an amphibious ready group along with a marine expeditionary unit, and a wide array of aircraft, including fighter jets and attack aircraft, to bolster its operational capabilities in response to these ongoing regional tensions.
