October 17, 2024 | Flash Brief

U.S. B-2 Bombers Strike Houthi Weapon Depots in Yemen

October 17, 2024 | Flash Brief

U.S. B-2 Bombers Strike Houthi Weapon Depots in Yemen

Latest Developments

The U.S. military struck multiple underground weapons storage facilities in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen late on October 16, according to a statement from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Aircraft used in the strike included multiple B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers, which can be equipped with deep penetrating “bunker buster” bombs. Austin stated that 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 Yemen-based facilities struck by the bombers served as storage for “various weapons components of the types that the Houthis have used to target civilian and military vessels throughout the region.” Austin stressed that the purpose of the strikes was to “further degrade” Houthi capabilities and protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait.

B-2 bombers generally fly out of Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and can carry up to 40,000 pounds of munitions, both conventional and nuclear. The bombers are used for long-range missions and can be refueled during flight by aerial tankers like the KC-46 Pegasus, allowing them to carry out intercontinental missions without landing.  

Expert Analysis

“This strike is laudable, belated, and insufficient. The Biden administration deserves credit for using B-2 bombers to target Houthi underground weapon stockpiles, but one wonders what took so long. As Secretary Austin said in his statement, the Houthis have ‘recklessly and unlawfully’ been attacking U.S. and international vessels for over a year. This is the most serious assault on freedom of navigation and maritime commerce in decades. Let’s see whether this is a one-off or the start of a new and more effective strategy toward the Houthis, and more importantly, their terror patron in Tehran.” — Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power

“While the United States has demonstrated considerable military might, this show of force is unlikely to dissuade the Houthis from abandoning their strategy of attacking commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea or their targeting of the State of Israel. To effectively address the escalating Houthi threat, the United States and its allies must adopt a new approach, otherwise, the Houthis are poised to become a significant regional security threat.” Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

Following Houthi Attacks, Israel Again Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen,” FDD Flash Brief

Iran Brokers Talks to Provide Russian Missiles to Houthi Rebels in Yemen,” FDD Flash Brief

American Forces Under Attack by Iran and its Proxies,” by Cameron McMillan and Bradley Bowman

10 Things to Know About the Houthis,” FDD Insight

Issues:

Issues:

Iran Iran Global Threat Network Iran-backed Terrorism Military and Political Power U.S. Defense Policy and Strategy

Topics:

Topics:

Bab-el-Mandeb Boeing KC-46 Pegasus Gulf of Aden Houthi movement Iran Israel Joe Biden Lloyd Austin Red Sea Russia Tehran Yemen