The United States has launched a series of “precision strikes” targeting Houthi weapon sites in Yemen, as announced by the Pentagon. These strikes were aimed at five underground Houthi weapon sites in Yemen, which the US claims were being used to store components used in attacks against both civilian and military vessels in the region.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed that long-range bombers were deployed to neutralize these Houthi weapon sites in Yemen, demonstrating the US’s capability to strike facilities designed to be kept out of reach. The attacks specifically focused on underground storage locations, believed to house sophisticated weaponry used to disrupt shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
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Since November, the Houthis have launched a series of attacks on international shipping lanes, sinking two vessels and targeting around 100 ships. These actions, the Houthis claim, were in retaliation for Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. In response, the US, under President Biden’s directive, authorized strikes to degrade the Houthis’ military capability and ensure the protection of international trade and US personnel in the region.
The Houthi weapon sites in Yemen have been pivotal in enabling the group’s capacity to destabilize one of the world’s most critical waterways. According to Austin, the US military operation was also intended to send a clear message to the Houthis that further aggressive actions would result in “serious consequences.” The Pentagon, along with US Central Command, confirmed that there were no initial reports of civilian casualties following the operation.
By hitting key Houthi weapon sites in Yemen, the US aims to protect not only its military assets but also international trade, which has been severely affected by the conflict. This latest action underscores the continued tensions in the region, driven by the Houthis’ alliance with Iran and their disruptive activities in the Red Sea.
