The United States recently conducted a targeted strike on five military sites controlled by Houthi forces in Yemen using B-2 bombers. The attack was in response to the ongoing illegal and reckless attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels on US and international vessels transiting the Red Sea, the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. These attacks have disrupted the free flow of international commerce, threatened environmental catastrophes, and put innocent civilian lives at risk. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III stated that the strikes were aimed at degrading the Houthis’ capabilities to continue their destabilizing behavior and to protect and defend US forces and personnel in critical waterways.
The use of US Air Force B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers in the precision strikes demonstrated the country’s global strike capabilities to target facilities that adversaries seek to keep out of reach. The attacks were approved by President Joe Biden, who authorized the targeted strikes to defend American lives and assets, deter attacks against civilians and regional partners, and protect the freedom of navigation in the waterways for US, coalition, and merchant vessels. The US government has made it clear to the Houthis that there will be consequences for their illegal and reckless actions. Early assessments of the strikes by the US Central Command indicate that no civilians were injured in the attacks.
The Houthi rebels have been responsible for launching numerous attacks on US Navy ships, commercial shipping, and coalition ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. They have also shot down several US MQ-9 Reaper drones and caused major disruptions to international maritime trade. At least 29 energy and shipping companies have changed their routes to avoid Houthi attacks, and container shipping in the Red Sea has declined significantly since December of 2023. Shipping through the Red Sea accounts for a significant portion of international maritime trade, and alternate routes around Africa add additional costs and time to voyages, impacting humanitarian aid delivery to countries in the region.
The attacks on the Houthi military sites are part of the US government’s efforts to combat the destabilizing actions of the Iran-backed rebels in Yemen. The strikes are aimed at degrading the rebels’ capabilities to target civilian and military vessels in the region and to protect the interests of the US and its allies. The use of precision strikes by B-2 bombers demonstrates the country’s resolve to take necessary action to defend American lives and assets. The US government is committed to protecting the freedom of navigation in critical waterways and deterring future attacks by the Houthi rebels.
The ongoing conflict in Yemen between the Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government has resulted in a humanitarian crisis in the country. The US government’s targeted strikes on the Houthi military sites are part of its broader efforts to address the conflict and protect the interests of the US and its allies in the region. The attacks on the Houthi rebels reflect the United States’ commitment to defending its personnel and assets in critical waterways and sending a strong message to adversaries that illegal and reckless actions will have consequences. The US government will continue to monitor the situation in Yemen and take necessary actions to promote stability and security in the region.
Overall, the targeted strikes on Houthi military sites in Yemen by US forces using B-2 bombers demonstrate the country’s resolve to address the destabilizing actions of the Iran-backed rebels in the region. The attacks were approved by President Biden and aimed at degrading the rebels’ capabilities to threaten civilian and military vessels in critical waterways. The US government will continue to take necessary actions to defend American lives and assets, deter attacks against civilians and regional partners, and protect the freedom of navigation in important trade routes. The precision strikes on the Houthi military sites are part of the broader efforts to address the conflict in Yemen and promote stability and security in the region.
