The United States carried out precision airstrikes on five underground weapons storage sites controlled by the Houthis in Yemen, according to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday.
These airstrikes targeted facilities used by the Houthis to store weapon components employed in attacks against civilian and military ships in the region.
The strikes, conducted by B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, marked the first time this type of aircraft has been used in Yemen since the beginning of the US military campaign.
US defense officials stated that these sites contained advanced conventional weapons, used to target military and civilian vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The strikes come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Israel expected to retaliate against Iranian missile attacks ahead of the US elections on November 5.
In addition to its ongoing conflicts with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, the region remains on edge as hostilities escalate.
The exchange of hostilities between the US and the Houthis has increased in recent months, as the Houthis persist in launching attacks on commercial and US naval assets.
The US airstrikes follow a series of Houthi missile and drone assaults on American ships, which have raised concerns about regional maritime security.
Earlier this year, the US deployed forces to Israel to provide military support and anti-missile systems to defend against Iranian threats.
Throughout the past year, US forces have conducted multiple airstrikes and intercepted drones and missiles aimed at safeguarding maritime trade routes. However, Houthi attacks have continued unabated.
In September, the Houthis launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones against US naval vessels, though none of the ships were damaged. Additionally, earlier this month, US forces struck 15 Houthi targets in Yemen, focusing on their offensive military capabilities.
Houthi leaders have tied their military actions to their support for Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
In one notable incident in September, the Houthis launched a long-range missile toward Israel, which exploded mid-air without causing any damage.
The ongoing Houthi attacks on commercial ships have resulted in fatalities among sailors and caused significant environmental harm.
The most recent incident involved an attack on a Greek vessel, which triggered a massive oil spill, prompting the US Department of Defense to warn of a potential environmental catastrophe.
