The US has launched airstrikes against Houthi-controlled weapons storage facilities in Yemen. This operation seeks to safeguard shipping routes in the Red Sea, amid escalating Houthi attacks on vessels linked to regional tensions.
US Military Conducts Targeted Strikes Against Houthi Weapon Locations in Yemen
US Military Conducts Targeted Strikes Against Houthi Weapon Locations in Yemen
The Pentagon confirms precision strikes executed by the US aim at crippling Houthi capabilities that threaten maritime security.
The Pentagon has confirmed that the United States has carried out "precision strikes" targeting five weapons storage facilities controlled by the Houthi group in Yemen, needed to address threats to maritime security in the Red Sea. US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin announced that long-range B2 stealth bombers were among the forces engaged in the operation, targeting underground sites believed to house weapon components intended for attacks against civilian and military vessels in the area.
According to Austin, these strikes exemplify the US's capability to neutralize adversarial facilities that seek evasion from direct confrontation. Since November 2022, there has been an upsurge in Houthi attacks, with approximately 100 vessels targeted in the Red Sea, including the sinking of two. The Houthi group claims these actions constitute retaliation against Israel's military initiatives in Gaza.
The US Central Command reported that initial assessments found no evidence of civilian casualties following the strikes. The mission deployed both the US Air Force and Navy, with the central aim of safeguarding international shipping lanes, which have faced significant disruption due to Houthi aggression.
Lloyd Austin reiterated the strategic intent behind the operation, stating it was authorized by President Biden to degrade Houthi capabilities and protect US military interests in vital waterway regions. Austin emphasized a commitment to hold the Houthis accountable for their supposed "illegal and reckless" actions.
In previous months, the Pentagon reported complex Houthi attacks directed at US Navy vessels, though all threats were successfully neutralized. The Houthis have also launched missile strikes against Israel, including incidents where drones targeted Tel Aviv, resulting in casualties. Israel has retaliated with airstrikes aimed at Houthi positions in Yemen.
Earlier this year, the US, UK, and twelve allied nations initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian to ensure the security of shipping lanes in the Red Sea against the Houthi threat. The Houthis are part of a broader network of armed groups in the Middle East, including Hezbollah and Hamas, which are all supported by Iran.
