U.S. Strikes Houthi Sites With B-2 Stealth Bombers

US deployed B-2 stealth bombers in a strike against Houthi rebels in Yemen, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing Middle East conflict.

At a Glance

B-2 stealth bombers targeted underground Houthi weapons storage facilities in Yemen.
This was thought to be the first use of B-2 bombers in combat in quite some time, and the first time targeting Yemen, per AP.
The strikes aim to degrade Houthi capabilities and protect international shipping lanes.
The move is seen as a warning to Iran and its allied groups in the region

US Escalates Military Response to Houthi Threats

The United States military has taken a decisive step in its ongoing conflict with Yemen’s Houthi rebels by deploying B-2 stealth bombers to target underground bunkers. This marks a significant escalation in the US response to attacks on shipping lanes in the Middle East. The operation, authorized by President Joe Biden and executed under the direction of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, targeted five underground weapons storage locations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

This seems to be the first time B-2 bombers have been used in combat in a number of years and the first instance of their deployment against targets in Yemen, AP reported.

US Long-Range B-2 Stealth Bombers Target Underground Bunkers of Yemen's Houthi Rebels https://t.co/GViOkFT8yN

— Military.com (@Militarydotcom) October 17, 2024

Houthi Attacks and Regional Tensions

The Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel group, have been increasingly aggressive in their attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 2023. They have said they are targeting vessels linked to Israel, the US, or the UK in support of Palestinians in the ongoing Gaza conflict. These attacks have disrupted international trade, forcing major shipping companies to avoid the Red Sea and Suez Canal routes.

“This cycle of retaliation is pulling Yemen deeper into the regional conflict, jeopardizing its hopes for peace and stability,” U.N. Special Envoy Hans Grundberg said this week.

The escalation comes amid broader regional tensions, with conflicts involving Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah. The situation has raised concerns about a potential wider conflict in the Middle East, with Iran playing a significant role in supporting various armed groups across the region.

US Strategic Message and Capabilities

The use of B-2 stealth bombers in this operation is particularly noteworthy due to their advanced capabilities and strategic significance. These aircraft are rarely used in combat operations due to their high cost and strategic value.

“This was 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,” Austin stated.

The strikes targeted underground facilities, likely similar to Iran’s missile bases, demonstrating the US’s ability to reach deeply buried and fortified targets.

Implications and Future Outlook

The use of B-2 bombers against Houthi targets represents a significant escalation in the conflict and may have far-reaching implications for regional stability. While the US aims to degrade Houthi capabilities and protect international shipping lanes, there are concerns about the potential for further escalation and the impact on ongoing peace efforts in Yemen.

Austin said, “At the direction of President Biden, I authorised these targeted strikes to further degrade the Houthis’ capability to continue their destabilising behaviour and to protect and defend US forces and personnel in one of the world’s most critical waterways.”

As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, with conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and now increased US involvement in Yemen, the international community watches closely.