The United States attacked five military facilities controlled by the Houthi rebels in Yemen using B-2 bombers with precision strikes on weapons storage sites.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said in a statement: “The U.S. military is investigating the Houthi underground site, which houses a wide variety of weapons components that the group has used to target civilian vessels and military vessels throughout the region. They targeted some of the facilities.”
“This was a unique demonstration of the United States' ability to target facilities no matter how deeply buried underground, fortified, or fortified, the enemy is trying to keep out of reach. .”
Houthis in Yemen, Iranian proxies in Tehran, and Hezbollah terrorists in military exercises along the border with Israel. (Photo: Houthis: AP Photo | Flag: NurPhoto via Getty Images | Hezbollah: AP Hassan Amal. (Fox News)
Austin said the adoption of the U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bomber demonstrated the U.S.'s global strike capability to “take action against these targets whenever and wherever necessary.” said.
“For more than a year, the Houthis, an Iranian-backed group of extraordinary global terrorists, have recklessly and illegally attacked U.S. and international shipping transiting the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.” .
He said the Houthis' unlawful attacks continue to disrupt the free flow of international commerce, threaten environmental destruction, and endanger the lives of innocent civilians and the lives of U.S. and partner forces.
Austin said the attack was authorized by President Joe Biden.
“At President Biden's direction, I will continue these targeted attacks to allow the Houthis to continue their destabilizing actions and further diminish their ability to protect and protect U.S. forces and personnel in one of the world's most critical waterways. Allowed.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III said a B-2 stealth bomber was used to attack Houthi targets in Yemen on October 16, 2024. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
“Again, the United States will use these waterways to protect American life and property, to deter attacks against civilians and regional partners, and to protect the freedom of navigation of the United States, our allies, and our nations. We will not hesitate to take action to enhance the safety and security of the Merchant Marine.
“We continue to make clear to the Houthis that there will be consequences for their illegal and reckless attacks. Thank you, our country. ”
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Initial assessments by U.S. Central Command indicate that no civilians were injured in either attack. Here is some background on the Houthi influence in the Middle East and across the region's transportation corridors.
- U.S. defense officials say the Houthis have carried out at least 270 attacks on U.S. naval vessels, commercial vessels and coalition warships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November.
- The Houthis have shot down at least eight US-made MQ-9 Reaper drones since October 7 last year. These drones can cost up to $32 million each.
- A quick summary of important points.
- At least 29 major energy and shipping companies have changed routes to avoid Houthi attacks.
- At least 65 countries have been affected by Houthi attacks, including Russia, Iran and China
- Red Sea container traffic will drop by 90% from December 2023
- Shipping through the Red Sea accounts for 10-15% of all international maritime trade.
- Alternative shipping routes around Africa add 11,000 nautical miles, one to two weeks of transit time, and $1 million in fuel costs per voyage.
- Humanitarian aid to both Sudan and Yemen has been severely delayed as ships have to go around Africa.
This is a developing story.
