The Pentagon has announced that the United States conducted “precision strikes” targeting five weapons storage sites in areas of Yemen controlled by the Houthi movement.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that the strikes involved US forces, including long-range bombers, aimed at underground facilities containing weapon components utilized in attacks on civilian and military vessels in the region. Austin emphasized that the operation demonstrated the US’s capability to target facilities that adversaries attempt to keep “out of reach.”
Since November of last year, the Houthis have been implicated in attacks on approximately 100 ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, resulting in the sinking of two vessels. The Houthi group claims these attacks are in retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
US Central Command reported via social media that there were no initial indications of civilian casualties from the recent strikes. The operation was carried out using both the US Air Force and Navy, employing long-range stealth bombers.
The Houthi attacks have prompted major shipping companies to steer clear of the Red Sea, significantly impacting international trade.
Austin noted, “At the direction of President Biden, I authorized these targeted strikes to further degrade the Houthis’ capability to continue their destabilizing behavior and to protect and defend US forces and personnel in one of the world’s most critical waterways.” He added that the US would “continue to make it clear” to the Houthis that there would be “consequences for their illegal and reckless attacks.”
In September, the Pentagon reported that the Houthis had launched a “complex attack” on US Navy ships in the region, although all incoming weapons were intercepted.
In addition to targeting vessels in the Red Sea, the Houthis have directly fired missiles and drones at Israel. In July, a drone launched from Yemen struck Tel Aviv, resulting in one death and ten injuries. In September, the group launched several missiles at Israel, including one aimed at the country’s main airport, prompting Israeli retaliatory strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen.
Earlier this year, the US, UK, and 12 other nations initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian to safeguard Red Sea shipping lanes against Houthi threats.
The Houthis are part of a broader network of armed groups in the Middle East that are backed by Iran, which includes Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
