The United States has attacked five military sites controlled by Houthi forces in Yemen, using B-2 bombers for precision strikes on weapons storage sites.

“U.S. forces have targeted multiple Houthis underground facilities that house various weapons components of the type that the Houthis have used to attack civilian and military vessels throughout the region,” Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said in a statement.

“This was a unique demonstration of the United States’ ability to target facilities that our adversaries want to keep out of reach, no matter how deeply buried, fortified or fortified.”

Disapproval is growing both at home and abroad as the US avoids direct action against the Houthi rebels

Houthis in Yemen, Iranian proxy groups in Tehran and Hezbollah terrorists in military exercises along the border with Israel. (Photos: Houthis: AP Photos | Flags: NurPhoto via Getty Images | Hezbollah: AP Hassan Amar. (Fox News)

Austin said the U.S. Air Force's deployment of B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers demonstrates the U.S.'s global strike capability “to strike against these targets whenever and wherever needed,” Austin said.

“For over a year, the Iran-backed Houthis, Specially Designated Global Terrorists, have recklessly and unlawfully attacked U.S. and international vessels transiting the Red Sea, the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden,” he said .

The Houthis' illegal attacks continue to disrupt the free flow of international trade, threaten environmental disaster and endanger the lives of innocent civilians and the lives of U.S. and partner forces, he said.

US troops destroyed several Houthi weapons and vehicles in the last 24 hours: CENTCOM

Austin said the attack was authorized by President Joe Biden.

“At President Biden’s direction, I authorized these targeted attacks to further weaken the Houthis’ ability to continue their destabilizing behavior and protect and defend U.S. forces and personnel in one of the world’s most critical waterways.”

B-2 stealth bombers were used to attack Houthi targets in Yemen on October 16, 2024, said US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

“Again, the United States will not hesitate to take action to protect American lives and assets, deter attacks on civilians and our regional partners, protect freedom of navigation, and ensure security on these waterways for the United States Coalition and others to increase merchant ships.

“We will continue to make it clear to the Houthis that their illegal and reckless attacks will have consequences. “I am grateful for the professionalism and skill of the brave American troops who participated in today’s actions and continue to stand guard in defense of our nation.”

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Initial assessments by US Central Command indicate that no civilians were injured in any of the attacks. Here is some background information on the Houthi effects in the Middle East and throughout the region's shipping corridors:

• According to U.S. defense officials, the Houths have carried out at least 270 attacks on U.S. Navy ships, merchant ships and coalition ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November last year
• The Houthis have shot down at least eight US MQ-9 Reaper drones since October 7 last year. Each of these drones costs up to $32 million
• At least 29 major energy and shipping companies have changed their routes to avoid Houthi attacks
• At least 65 countries were affected by the Houthi attacks, including Russia, Iran and China
• Container shipping in the Red Sea has fallen by 90% since December 2023
• Shipping through the Red Sea accounts for 10-15% of all international maritime trade
• Alternative shipping routes around Africa add an additional 11,000 nautical miles, 1-2 weeks of transit time and $1 million in fuel costs for each trip
• Humanitarian aid to both Sudan and Yemen has been significantly delayed as ships have to sail around Africa