In response to the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen attacking civilian and military vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the United States launched airstrikes using B-2 bombers against five underground weapons storage facilities controlled by the rebels. These facilities were reported to contain various weapons components used by the Houthis. The strikes marked the first time B-2 bombers were used against the Houthis in Yemen.
The attacks were authorized by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the direction of President Joe Biden, with the goal of degrading the Houthis’ ability to continue their destabilizing behavior and to protect U.S. forces and personnel in the region. The Houthis have been launching missiles and drones against shipping vessels in response to the conflict in Gaza and have expressed support for the terrorist group Hamas.
The ongoing conflict between the Houthis and the Yemeni government has caused extreme hardship and led to the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, according to the United Nations. More than 18 million people in Yemen are dependent on humanitarian assistance. The attacks on the weapons storage facilities were part of efforts to counter the Houthis’ aggressive actions and protect vital shipping lanes in the region. This is a developing story, and updates are expected.
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