On Oct. 16, the Pentagon dispatched B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers to strike five hardened underground weapons storage facilities in Yemen controlled by the Houthi movement. These strikes, authorised by President Biden, were carried out by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The U.S. claims the strikes were a direct response to Houthi attacks on international shipping, as well as threats against U.S. and allied forces in the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III stated the strikes aimed to reduce the Houthis’ ability to carry out disruptive actions and to protect U.S. forces and personnel. He emphasised, “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.”
The Political Bureau of Ansarullah, the political wing of the Houthi movement, denounced the US airstrikes as a “cowardly act of aggression against Yemen”, a violation of Yemeni sovereignty and a breach of international law. They see the strikes as part of a broader Israeli-American escalation targeting Palestine, Lebanon, and Yemen, which they believe aims to undermine the Muslim world, its holy sites, and its causes, particularly the Palestinian cause.
A statement from the Political Bureau of Ansarullah declared, “The American aggressive airstrikes will not deter Yemen from continuing its support and assistance to Gaza and Lebanon in confronting the Israeli arrogance backed by the U.S.” They affirmed that the Yemeni people “will not abandon Palestine and the Palestinian cause, as this is a matter of faith, morality, and humanity.”
Houthi-run Almasirah reported that in Sana’a, the strikes targeted six areas, including Television, Al-Hafa, and Jarban. In Sa’adah, nine airstrikes hit the Kahlan and Al-Abla areas. While initial U.S. assessments suggest no civilian casualties, the situation remains tense, with potential for further military action.
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