US strikes Houthi weapons depots in Yemen

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin - REUTERS/EVELYN HOCKSTEIN
Using B-2 bombers 

This past week, the US carried out several B-2 bomber strikes against weapons stockpiles in areas of Yemen controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, the US military said.  

‘US forces struck several underground Houthi facilities that housed various weapons components of the types the Houthis have used to attack civilian and military vessels throughout the region,’ US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement. 

The B-2 bombers conducted precision strikes against five underground weapons storage sites, Austin said, adding that the use of the long-range stealth bomber demonstrates ‘US global strike capabilities to take action against these targets when necessary, anytime, anywhere’. 

The US and Britain have conducted repeated strikes aimed at limiting the Huthis' ability to attack ships, but rebel attacks on merchant vessels transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have persisted.   

‘At President Biden's direction, I authorised these targeted strikes to further degrade the Houthis‘ ability to continue their destabilising behaviour and to protect and defend US forces and personnel in one of the world's most critical waterways,’ Austin said. 

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree - AFP/ MOHAMMED HUWAIS

The attack comes after the US military earlier this month carried out 15 strikes against targets linked to Houthi fighters in Yemen, where residents reported explosions at military posts and an airport.   

Houthi fighters in Yemen have carried out nearly 100 attacks on ships crossing the Red Sea since November and claim they are acting in solidarity with Hamas against Israel's year-long war in Gaza. They have sunk two ships, seized another and killed at least four sailors.   

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on social networking website X that its battle damage assessments were ongoing and indicate no civilian casualties.