Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on U.S. Airstrikes in Houthi-Controlled Areas of Yemen

Today, U.S. military forces, including U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers, conducted precision strikes against five hardened underground weapons storage locations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. U.S. forces targeted several of the Houthis' underground facilities housing various weapons components of types that the Houthis have used to target civilian and military vessels throughout the region. 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. The employment of U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers demonstrate U.S. global strike capabilities to take action against these targets when necessary, anytime, anywhere.

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. The Houthis' illegal attacks continue to disrupt the free flow of international commerce, threaten environmental catastrophe, and put innocent civilian lives and U.S. and partner forces' lives at risk. At the direction of President Biden, I authorized these targeted strikes to further degrade the Houthis' capability to continue their destabilizing behavior and to protect and defend U.S. forces and personnel in one of the world's most critical waterways.

Again, the United States will not hesitate to take action to defend American lives and assets; to deter attacks against civilians and our regional partners; and to protect freedom of navigation and increase the safety and security in these waterways for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels. We will continue to make clear to the Houthis that there will be consequences for their illegal and reckless attacks. I am grateful for the professionalism and skill of the brave American troops who took part in today's actions and who continue to stand guard in defense of our Nation.

[Today, U.S. military forces, including U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers, conducted precision strikes against five hardened underground weapons storage locations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen]

Wow

I heard some aircraft in the last day or two - BIG military A/C I believe moving from (undisclosed) location (a short distance away)

Wonder if they were part of this - yeah, right before the election - and whaddya know - gas prices dropping too

What a scam

https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/1846745284262449561

https://apnews.com/article/us-airstrikes-yemen-houthi-rebels-israel-hamas-war-99721f7f952d66d6da27e24dc3c189c3

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. long-range B-2 stealth bombers launched airstrikes early Thursday morning targeting underground bunkers used by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, officials said.

B-2 Spirits Just Sent A Very Ominous Message To Iran
The B-2’s strike on Houthi weapons bunkers was about sending a dire message that only the stealth bomber could send.
https://www.twz.com/air/b-2-spirits-just-sent-a-very-ominous-message-to-iran-that-only-they-can

The Pentagon’s statement reads:
“Today, U.S. military forces, including U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers, conducted precision strikes against five hardened underground weapons storage locations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. U.S. forces targeted several of the Houthis’ underground facilities housing various weapons components of types that the Houthis have used to target civilian and military vessels throughout the region. 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. The employment of U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers demonstrate U.S. global strike capabilities to take action against these targets when necessary, anytime, anywhere.

We will see if this accomplishes anything more than previous bombings that did nothing.

And the answer for the prize is......

OF COURSE NOT!

Not any better than Operation Prosperity Guardian that Austin shouted from the Pentagon.

Remember? The operation that brought together forces from 22 nations to address the challenges in the region and ensure freedom of navigation to stop them Houthies in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden -- NOT.

FR search results for "houthi":

Ward Carroll YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzfM2RZHbSA

On October 16 US Central Command said that US Air Force and US Navy assets, including the B-2 Spirit long-range bomber, had struck five underground weapons facilities in areas of Yemen controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia.

While not explicitly mentioned in the statement, it’s reasonable to assume the use of the B-2 in Yemen is also a signal to Iran, the weapons sponsor of the Houthis, that their underground nuclear facilities can be reached by the American military.

Elsewhere in the Middle East, on October 17, the IDF inadvertently took out Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar during a skirmish in the Gaza Strip. Israeli intel had a lead that he was in Rafah at the southern end of Gaza, but they weren’t sure exactly where he was. Sinwar and several other Hamas militants opened fire on the Israelis. The IDF troops returned fire using a tank and mortars, blowing the side out of the building Sinwar was hiding in.

Sinwar is the fourth member of Hamas leadership the IDF has assassinated since the October 7 attacks.

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