The United States military has conducted precision airstrikes against five underground weapons storage facilities in Yemen controlled by the Houthi movement. These strikes, ordered by President Joe Biden, mark a significant escalation in US efforts to counter Houthi attacks in the region. The Houthis, a group backed by Iran, have been behind a series of strikes on both civilian and military vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The Pentagon confirmed the strikes, saying they were designed to degrade the Houthis’ ability to continue their attacks on international shipping. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that the long-range bombers targeted underground facilities where weapons components used in attacks on ships were stored. These attacks have disrupted global shipping routes, making the Red Sea a volatile area for international trade.
Strikes Target Underground Weapon Facilities
The precision strikes were aimed at carefully selected underground storage locations, believed to be housing weapons components that the Houthis used in recent strikes against ships in the region. According to Secretary Austin, the facilities were intentionally chosen by the Houthis to be difficult to reach.
Austin emphasized that the operation demonstrated the United States’ ability to locate and target these underground sites. “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 US forces and personnel in one of the world’s most critical waterways,” he said.
He added that the United States would “continue to make it clear” to the Houthis that their illegal and reckless attacks would have serious consequences.
Houthi Attacks on Shipping Continue
The Houthis, who control large parts of northern Yemen, have been increasingly active in launching attacks on ships in the Red Sea. Since November 2023, they have targeted close to 100 vessels, sinking two in the process. The attacks have forced many international shipping companies to avoid the Red Sea, which is a vital trade route connecting Europe and Asia.
These Houthi strikes have caused significant disruptions to international trade and raised concerns about the safety of ships passing through one of the busiest waterways in the world. US Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, stated on social media that the operation involved both the US Air Force and the US Navy, using long-range stealth bombers to carry out the strikes.
Despite the complexity of the mission, there were no initial reports of civilian casualties from the Pentagon. The focus remained solely on neutralizing the weapons depots used by the Houthis to fuel their attacks.
Retaliation for Israel’s Gaza Operations
The Houthis have justified their attacks on ships in the Red Sea as retaliation for Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. The Houthi movement, which shares ideological and logistical ties with other Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, has also carried out direct missile and drone strikes against Israel.
In July 2024, a Houthi-launched drone from Yemen struck Tel Aviv, killing one person and injuring 10. This attack was part of a broader campaign by the Houthis to target Israeli sites. In response, Israel has conducted retaliatory strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen.
In September, the Houthis launched multiple missiles and drones at Israel, including one that targeted Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel’s main airport. Again, Israel responded with airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, signaling that the conflict has expanded beyond the borders of Gaza and Israel.
The US Response: Operation Prosperity Guardian
In response to the growing threat from Houthi attacks on international shipping, the United States, alongside the United Kingdom and 12 other nations, launched Operation Prosperity Guardian earlier this year. The operation aims to protect shipping lanes in the Red Sea, which is crucial for global trade and energy supplies.
The Houthis, supported by Iran, have become a key player in the region’s growing tensions. Iran has been supplying weapons, training, and logistical support to the Houthis, similar to its support for other proxy groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. These alliances are part of a broader Iranian strategy to exert influence across the Middle East by backing non-state actors that can disrupt their adversaries’ interests.
The US has consistently maintained that it will not allow the Houthis, or any other group, to disrupt one of the world’s most vital waterways. Secretary Austin’s statement further reinforced this commitment: “The United States will continue to protect our personnel and interests in the region, and we will ensure that key shipping lanes remain open.”
Houthi Ties to Iran and Regional Implications
The Houthis are part of a broader network of Iran-backed groups that operate across the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. These groups often act in concert with Iranian foreign policy objectives, using unconventional warfare and insurgency tactics to challenge their regional rivals.
Iran’s support for the Houthis has been pivotal in the group’s ability to continue fighting despite significant opposition from a Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen’s civil war in 2015. The Houthis have been accused of using advanced Iranian-supplied weaponry, including ballistic missiles and drones, to carry out attacks not only in Yemen but also across the Middle East. For years, Yemen has been locked
