US military strikes underground Houthi weapons depots in Yemen with B-2 bombers

The US military conducted multiple air strikes on several underground Houthi weapons storage facilities inside Yemen.

The facilities contained various advanced conventional weapons used to target military and civilian vessels navigating international waters throughout the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said that US Air Force B-2 bombers conducted precision strikes against five hardened underground weapons storage locations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

“This was a unique demonstration of the United States’ ability to target facilities that our adversaries seek to keep out of reach, no matter how deeply buried underground, hardened, or fortified,” Austin said in a statement, highlighting the advanced precision capabilities of the US military.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said battle damage assessments were underway, but initial indications showed no civilian casualties in the strikes. CENTCOM also said that US Navy assets were used but did not elaborate.

Austin slammed the Houthis for recklessly and unlawfully attacking US and international vessels transiting the Red Sea, the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden over the last year.

He said the Houthis’ illegal attacks continue to disrupt the free flow of international commerce, threaten environmental catastrophe, and put innocent civilian lives and US and partner forces’ lives at risk.

“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,” Austin said.