A press release from the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that B-2 Spirit stealth bombers of the Air Force carried out airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, marking the first time these aircraft have been used in this conflict.
Since the start of the war in Israel, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have attempted to destabilize the region by attacking key maritime routes, impacting free trade and endangering both civilian and military vessels. In September, the Houthis claimed to have launched approximately two dozen ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones, against three U.S. destroyers.
In response, President Joe Biden authorized a nighttime strike on five underground facilities controlled by the Houthis, which were believed to be housing weaponry intended for illegal attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Experts noted that this action showcased the U.S. military’s capability to neutralize even the most deeply buried assets in underground bunkers.
The B-2 Spirit bombers, with their ability to carry weapons designed to strike heavily fortified targets, were key in this operation. According to reports, GBU-57 bombs weighing 13,607 kg, also known as bunker busters, were used. These GPS-guided bombs are designed to penetrate up to nearly 61 meters of concrete before detonating. The stealth bombers are currently the only ones in the U.S. Air Force inventory capable of operationally deploying these bombs.
The operation, conducted overnight near Yemen’s capital city, Sana’a, and the city of Saada, was carried out discreetly, with no social media coverage. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III emphasized the mission’s significance: “The use of long-range B-2 Spirit stealth bombers of the U.S. Air Force demonstrates our global strike capabilities, ready to act when needed, anytime and anywhere.”
Lastly, the news of these attacks comes amid broader tensions in the region, as Israel is expected to retaliate for a recent missile attack from Iran, while its conflicts with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza continue. This also happens as U.S. troops have started arriving in Israel after the deployment of the THAAD ballistic missile defense system was announced, an advanced air defense system to help protect Israel and complement its existing capabilities against aerial attacks.
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