US bombers have struck Yemeni military bases controlled by the Houthis

The United States has attacked five military bases controlled by the Houthi militia in Yemen using B-2 bombers for precision strikes on weapons depots.

“The US military has targeted several facilities under the Houthis that house various weapons of the type used by the Houthis to target civilian and military vessels throughout the region,” Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said in a statement.

“This was a unique demonstration of the United States’ ability to target areas that our adversaries want to keep inaccessible, no matter how deeply buried, hardened, or fortified they are.”

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Austin said the deployment of US Air Force B-2 Spirit bombers demonstrates America’s global strike capability “to take action against these targets if necessary, anytime, anywhere.”

“For more than a year, the Iranian-backed Houthis, Specially Designated Global Terrorists, have been recklessly and illegally attacking American and international ships passing through the Red Sea, the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden,” he said.

Unlawful Houthi attacks continue to disrupt the free flow of international trade, threaten natural disasters, and put innocent lives and the lives of US military personnel and partners at risk, he said.

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Austin said the attack was approved by President Joe Biden.

“At the direction of President Biden, I authorized these targeted strikes to continue to degrade the ability of the Houthis to continue their disruptive behavior and protect and defend US forces and personnel on one of the world’s most important waterways.

B-2 Stealth Bombers were used to attack Houthi targets in Yemen on October 16, 2024, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III said. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

“Also, the United States will not hesitate to take action to protect American lives and property; to prevent attacks on civilians and our regional partners; and to protect freedom of navigation and increase safety and security in these waterways for US, coalition, and merchant vessels.

“We will continue to make it clear to the Houthis that there will be consequences for their illegal and reckless attacks. I am very grateful for the skill and ability of the brave American soldiers who participated in today’s operations and continue to protect our nation.”

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An early assessment by the US Central Command indicates that no civilian casualties were caused by the strike. Here’s a background on the effects of the Houthis in the Middle East and on all transit corridors in the region:

• The Houthis have launched at least 270 attacks on US Navy ships, commercial vessels and coalition vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since last November, according to US defense officials.
• The Houthis have shot down at least eight US MQ-9 Reaper drones since Oct. 7. last year. Each of these planes cost 32 million dollars
• At least 29 major energy and shipping companies have changed their routes to avoid Houthi attacks
• At least 65 countries have been affected by the Houthi attacks, including Russia, Iran and China
• Red Sea container shipping has dropped by 90% since December 2023
• Red Sea shipping accounts for 10-15% of all international maritime trade
• Some cruises around Africa add 11,000 nautical miles, 1-2 weeks of transit time and 1 million in fuel costs per trip.
• Humanitarian aid to Sudan and Yemen has been severely delayed because ships have to go around Africa

This is a developing story.