The United States has carried out a second consecutive night of strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, as confirmed by a US defense official on Sunday. The details regarding the types of weapons used, specific targets, and locations of the strikes were not immediately available. However, reports indicated explosions in the Amran and Saada governorates, north of the capital Sanaa, where previous US strikes have occurred.
On Saturday, fighter jets were utilized by the US to conduct a series of strikes on Houthi sites in multiple locations, including facilities used by the Iran-backed rebel group to store advanced conventional weapons. These weapons have been employed in attacks on US warships and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The Red Sea is a crucial waterway that connects to the Suez Canal, through which a significant portion of global trade flows. Ongoing attacks have effectively disrupted activities along the strait.
The Houthis, Hamas, and Hezbollah are part of an Iran-led alliance across Yemen, Syria, Gaza, and Iraq. This alliance has targeted Israel and its allies since the conflict in Gaza began. The groups have stated that they will continue their attacks until a ceasefire is achieved in the Palestinian enclave.
The Houthi attacks come amidst Yemen's severe humanitarian crisis, which has worsened since the 2014 civil war when Houthi forces seized the capital Sanaa and ousted the internationally-recognized government backed by Saudi Arabia. Yemen, with a population of over 34 million, faces critical food shortages exacerbated by climate-related disasters.
Earlier this year, the country experienced deadly flooding, further endangering the 4.5 million internally displaced Yemenis in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, as highlighted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
The US has targeted Houthi positions in Yemen multiple times over the past 11 months, with attacks persisting. In mid-October, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the use of stealth B-2 bombers against the militant group for the first time. B-2 bombers are advanced long-range strike weapons capable of carrying substantial payloads.
President Joe Biden authorized the recent strike to send a clear message to the Houthis regarding the consequences of their unlawful and reckless actions. Reports indicate that the US has bolstered its military presence in the region due to ongoing conflicts involving Israel, Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
US forces in the region include a carrier strike group, additional guided missile destroyers, an amphibious ready group, a marine expeditionary unit, and various aircraft, including fighter and attack aircraft.
