Strikes on Houthi-Controlled Weapons Sites
The Pentagon confirmed late Wednesday that the United States deployed B-2 Spirit bombers to target five underground facilities in Yemen controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. According to Pentagon press secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, these precision strikes focused on hardened weapons storage locations housing equipment used by the Houthis in attacks on civilian and military vessels across the region. Ryder emphasized that these sites were carefully selected to target the Houthis’ capability to threaten U.S. and international maritime security.
The Houthis, who have long operated in the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden, have been responsible for repeated attacks on international shipping routes, heightening tensions in the region. While the full extent of the damage caused by the strikes is still being assessed, Ryder asserted that the mission achieved its objectives, stating, “We struck exactly what we intended.” He also warned that such operations send a clear message to the Houthis that their continued provocations will result in significant consequences.
U.S. Defense Leadership Responds
In a statement following the airstrikes, Secretary of U.S. Defense Lloyd J. Austin III reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to protecting its personnel and regional partners in the Middle East. Austin emphasized that the U.S. would take whatever measures are necessary to defend American lives and assets, particularly against threats to freedom of navigation. His message also underscored the risks posed by Houthi attacks to civilians and U.S. military forces, noting, “The United States will not hesitate to take action to defend American lives.”
Austin’s remarks reflect growing concerns about the security of key maritime routes and international vessels navigating these waters. The strikes, part of a broader U.S. strategy to deter aggression, also signal a clear intent to curb the influence of Iran-backed groups like the Houthis, which pose a continuing threat to regional stability.
Israel’s Targeted Strike Against Hamas Leader
On the same day, U.S. defense officials also addressed the killing of Yahya Sinwar, a key Hamas leader, by Israeli forces. Sinwar, considered one of the architects of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, was a prominent figure in the terrorist organization. Secretary Austin called Sinwar’s death a “major achievement in counterterrorism,” though he cautioned that Hamas would likely select a new leader soon.
Austin expressed hope that Sinwar’s elimination could open the door to a potential ceasefire in Gaza, alleviating the ongoing conflict and enabling increased humanitarian assistance for Palestinians. “This provides an extraordinary opportunity to achieve a lasting ceasefire and bring relief to the Palestinians who have endured so much under Hamas’s oppressive rule,” Austin said.
Meanwhile, in support of Israel’s defense, the U.S. has deployed the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, an advanced anti-ballistic missile defense system. Pentagon officials confirmed that an advanced U.S. military team and the initial components necessary to operate the THAAD arrived in Israel earlier this week. Austin reaffirmed the deployment as a strong indicator of the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.
