The U.S. military has struck Houthi weapons storage facilities in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, U.S. officials told ABC News.
“U.S. Central Command forces conducted multiple airstrikes on multiple Iranian-backed Houthi weapons storage facilities in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen,” a U.S. defense official said.
The defense official said the weapons were used to “hit military and civilian vessels sailing in the international waters of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.”
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that B-2 strategic bombers were used in strikes against five hardened underground weapons storage facilities in “Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.”
His statement also indicated that using such significant aircraft for the job was to send a signal to other bad actors in the region.
“The use of US Air Force B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers demonstrates US global strike capabilities to take action against these targets whenever and wherever necessary,” he said.
Austin’s statement also boasted of the military’s ability to “target facilities that our adversaries wish to keep out of their reach, even if they are buried underground, hardened or fortified.”
US Central Command said in a statement: “These actions were taken to diminish the ability of the Houthis to continue their bold and illegal attacks on international merchant shipping.”
According to CENTCOM, initial assessments indicate no civilian casualties.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
