© Senior Airman Joel Pfiester - US Air Force
US B-2 Bombers Strike Houthi Weapons Sites in Yemen
In a significant escalation, the United States has launched B-2 stealth bomber strikes on underground weapons facilities belonging to the Houthi movement in Yemen. The strikes, the first of their kind, targeted key Houthi-controlled sites near the capital, Sana’a, and in the northern Saada governorate, a stronghold of the Houthis.
US Strikes on Houthi Weapons Facilities
Local television channels in Houthi-controlled areas reported that 15 strikes hit five sites, aiming to cripple the group’s ability to launch attacks on civilian and military vessels in the region. According to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, these underground facilities housed various weapons components used by the Houthis in recent assaults. The strikes are intended to degrade the Houthis’ military capabilities and protect US forces and key maritime routes in the region.
US Global Strike Capabilities Displayed
The use of B-2 stealth bombers to carry out these strikes serves as a message not just to the Houthis but also to their backers in Tehran, amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Austin highlighted that the long-range strike capability of the bombers demonstrates the US’s readiness to take action “anytime, anywhere.” This move is widely seen as part of the broader regional response to the ongoing war in Gaza, which has heightened fears of a regional conflict.
Houthis Vow Retaliation
In response to the strikes, Houthi officials vowed retaliation. Nasruddin Amer, the deputy head of the Houthi media office, warned the US on X, stating that “America will pay the price for its aggression on Yemen.” He further emphasized that these actions would not deter Yemen from supporting Gaza.
As tensions rise across the Middle East, the US strikes on Houthi facilities signal a potential escalation in the already volatile situation, with ripple effects likely to impact regional security.
