US B-2 stealth bombers targeted underground weapons storage sites associated with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The strikes, announced by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, represent the latest attempt by the United States to curb the Houthi attacks that have disrupted commercial shipping in the Red Sea. These operations form part of a broader effort to counter the rising threat posed by the Houthis, whose actions have escalated following the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, leading to further regional destabilization.
The strikes, which took place over five separate facilities, were described as targeting “hardened underground” sites where the Houthis had stored significant weapons caches. These facilities, fortified to withstand traditional military strikes, were chosen specifically because they were difficult to reach with conventional means. The operation featured B-2 bombers, a key asset in the US military’s arsenal due to their stealth capabilities and ability to carry heavy ordnance.
In his statement, Defense Secretary Austin highlighted the importance of the mission, calling it “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.” The deployment of B-2 bombers, he emphasized, was designed to send a clear message to adversaries about the US’s operational reach and commitment to safeguarding international shipping lanes.
The strategic nature of the strikes, beyond merely targeting weapons, underscored the US’s ongoing effort to curb Houthi influence in Yemen and beyond. The Houthis have long posed a significant challenge to both the Yemeni government and the broader geopolitical stability of the region, particularly through their recent attacks on maritime vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The United States, alongside its allies, including Israel, has repeatedly targeted Houthi positions in Yemen as part of a broader effort to curtail their growing capabilities and influence. The Houthis, who are supported by Iran, have ramped up their attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, further complicating an already tense situation. These attacks, which began after Israel launched its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, have increasingly disrupted global shipping, leading to widespread concerns about trade flow through one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
According to US intelligence assessments, Houthi attacks on commercial ships have resulted in a sharp decline in shipping activity in the region. In a June 2024 report, American intelligence officials revealed that assaults on vessels led to a 90% reduction in container shipping traffic through the Red Sea between December 2023 and February 2024, a dramatic indicator of the group’s destabilizing impact.
Efforts to neutralize the Houthi threat, however, have faced significant challenges. Despite multiple airstrikes and intelligence-led operations, the Houthis have been able to maintain their presence and continue their assaults, highlighting the complexity of the situation in Yemen and the broader region. The mountainous and rugged terrain of northern Yemen has long served as a natural fortress for the Houthis, complicating both ground and air operations against them.
The use of B-2 stealth bombers, which flew to Yemen from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, marked a significant moment in US military operations in the Middle East. This mission represented the first time since January 2017 that these highly advanced aircraft had been deployed in combat. In the 2017 operation, two B-2 bombers undertook a 30-hour round-trip mission to strike an Islamic State training camp in Libya, another testament to their range and operational flexibility.
Each B-2 bomber is capable of carrying up to 20 tons of ordnance, including a mix of GPS-guided bombs and larger bunker-busting munitions. Their unique design makes them nearly invisible to radar, allowing them to penetrate deeply into enemy airspace without being detected, making them the ideal choice for targeting fortified and buried facilities. In the case of the Houthi targets, the underground bunkers would likely have been constructed to resist conventional bombing raids, but the power and precision of the B-2’s payload were essential to the success of the mission.
While the Pentagon has not revealed the full extent of the damage caused by the strikes, the use of B-2s underscores the seriousness of the operation and the determination to disrupt Houthi capabilities.
The Houthis’ ongoing attacks in the Red Sea have severely disrupted global trade and raised international alarms. The Red Sea, which connects to the Suez Canal, is a vital artery for global commerce, with millions of tons of goods passing through its waters each year. The Houthi rebels have launched missile strikes and drone attacks against commercial vessels, often targeting oil tankers and cargo ships. These attacks have caused a marked decrease in shipping traffic, and insurance premiums for vessels navigating the region have spiked dramatically as a result of the threat.
US officials have expressed increasing concern over the ability of the Houthis to launch sophisticated attacks against ships, with many attributing their growing military capacity to Iranian support. The transfer of technology and expertise from Iran has allowed the Houthis to upgrade their missile and drone capabilities, making them a formidable force in Yemen’s ongoing civil conflict.
The US has sought to increase patrols in the region and has coordinated closely with allies such as Israel to secure maritime routes. However, the Houthis’ geographic advantage, combined with their guerrilla-style tactics, has made them a difficult adversary to contain. With every new attack, the potential for broader regional conflict increases, and the economic repercussions have already been felt globally.
The strikes come in the wake of a broader coordination effort between the US and Israel to counter the Houthis and their Iranian backers. The Houthis began their attacks on ships in the Red Sea following Israel’s military response to the October 7 attack by Hamas, which killed over 1,400 Israelis. As Israel ramped up its campaign in Gaza, the Houthis, seemingly in solidarity with Hamas and with backing from Tehran, expanded their reach, targeting commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
Israel, which relies on the Red Sea as a key maritime route for trade, has a vested interest in curbing the Houthi attacks. The collaboration between Israel and the US in this region is seen as part of a broader strategy to contain Iranian influence across the Middle East. Both nations have conducted strikes on Houthi assets, though the effectiveness of these strikes in fully halting the attacks has yet to be seen.
The US’s involvement in Yemen and its strikes on Houthi targets carry broader geopolitical implications. For one, the operations are seen as part of a larger effort to push back against Iranian influence in the region. Yemen, long a proxy battleground between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has become a focal point for Iranian-backed forces, with the Houthis receiving substantial support from Tehran in their bid to control the country.
In recent years, the US has increased its military presence in the region to counter these threats. However, Yemen’s ongoing civil war, coupled with the Houthis’ resilience, has made achieving long-term peace a distant goal. The strikes on Houthi facilities may weaken their capacity to launch attacks in the short term, but without a broader political solution to Yemen’s civil conflict, the Houthis are likely to continue playing a destabilizing role in the region.
The US has emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety of international shipping and preventing further Houthi attacks. Still, the continued instability in Yemen, the growing influence of Iran, and the Houthis’ tactical capabilities suggest that the region will remain a flashpoint for conflict.
The recent US strikes on Houthi weapons facilities in Yemen represent a calculated military response to an ongoing threat. By deploying B-2 stealth bombers, the United States has demonstrated its ability to target deeply buried and fortified facilities, sending a message to both the Houthis and their Iranian backers. However, while these strikes may degrade the Houthis’ immediate operational capabilities, the broader challenges of the Yemen conflict and the group’s capacity for continued disruption in the Red Sea persist.
