Additional Coverage:
- U.S. stealth bombers strike ‘hardened’ underground weapons sites in Houthi-run parts of Yemen (newsbreak.com)
US Military Strikes Houthi Weapons Sites in Yemen
On Sunday night, US forces targeted Houthi rebels in northwestern Yemen, hitting five underground weapons storage facilities. These facilities contained components used in attacks on US and international vessels in the Red Sea.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the strikes, which were carried out by B-2 stealth bombers. The strikes were intended to degrade the Houthis’ ability to disrupt international shipping and protect US interests in the region.
The Houthis are backed by Iran and have been designated as a terrorist organization by the US. They have launched multiple attacks on US vessels in recent years.
Houthi Response
Houthi spokesman Mohammed al-Bukhaiti condemned the strikes, accusing the US and Britain of supporting Israel’s military actions against Gaza. He vowed that the Houthis would continue their military operations in solidarity with the Palestinians.
Context
The strikes are part of a broader effort by the US and its allies to counter the Houthi threat. In recent weeks, there have been several attacks and airstrikes targeting Houthi positions.
The Houthis have launched attacks against Israel, including a drone strike that killed a person in Tel Aviv. Israel has retaliated with airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.