US B-2 Strikes Hit 5 Houthi Weapon Storage Sites, Defense Secretary Confirms

The U.S. carried out airstrikes on five “hardened underground weapons storage locations” in areas controlled by the Houthis in Yemen, using B-2 stealth bombers, according to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday evening (Thursday morning local time).

Austin described the operation as a “unique demonstration” of the U.S.’s ability to strike facilities that adversaries attempt to protect, regardless of how deeply they are buried or fortified. He emphasized that the use of B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers highlights America’s global strike capabilities to target such locations whenever necessary.

The defense secretary explained that the strikes were authorized by President Joe Biden with the aim of “further degrading” the Houthis’ ability to attack, following over a year of their assaults on U.S. and international vessels in the region. The targeted facilities housed “various weapons components” used in these attacks.

Austin added, “We will continue to make it clear to the Houthis that there will be consequences for their illegal and reckless attacks.”