The United States conducted airstrikes on Wednesday targeting five underground weapons storage facilities controlled by Houthi forces in Yemen, marking the first use of B-2 stealth bombers against the Iran-aligned group, Reuters reports.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized that the strike demonstrated the Pentagon’s capability to hit deeply buried and fortified targets anywhere in the world, which could also serve as a signal to Iran. US Central Command (CENTCOM) is currently assessing the damage from the strikes, with no reports of civilian casualties.
The operation comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly following Iran’s recent missile attack against Israel. The Houthis have attacked nearly 100 ships in the Red Sea since November, claiming solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
