Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that U.S. B-2 bombers targeted five underground Houthi weapons storage locations in Yemen controlled by the Iranian-backed rebel group. The strikes aimed to destroy weapons that the Houthis have used to target civilian and military vessels in the region, including the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. This was the first time that the U.S. used B-2 bombers in strikes against the Houthis.
The Houthis, supported by Iran, have been launching missiles and drones against shipping vessels in response to the conflict in Gaza. The annual $1 trillion flow of goods through the Red Sea has been disrupted, with some shippers suspending service in the area due to the attacks.
The U.S. launched airstrikes against Houthi weapons in January, and Defense Secretary Austin said he authorized the recent strikes at the direction of President Joe Biden. The goal is to degrade the Houthis’ capability and protect U.S. forces in the critical waterways of the region.
The conflict in Yemen has caused extreme hardship, with the United Nations calling it the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. Over 18 million people in Yemen depend on humanitarian assistance. The Houthis have seized control of the capital, Sana’a, since 2014, further exacerbating the situation.
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