US Defense Secretary: We targeted 5 Houthi weapons storage sites with B-2 bombers with Biden's approval

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced early Thursday that US forces had carried out strikes against five fortified underground weapons storage sites in Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, shortly after violent explosions were heard in the capital, Sanaa.

"U.S. forces, using Air Force B-2 bombers, targeted multiple Houthi underground facilities housing various weapons components of the types the Houthis have used to target civilian and military vessels throughout the region," Austin said in a statement.

“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 deep underground or how hardened they are,” he added. “The use of the B-2 stealth bomber demonstrates America’s ability to take action against these targets when necessary, anytime, anywhere.”

“We authorized these targeted strikes at President Biden’s direction, and they are intended to further degrade the Houthis’ ability to continue their destabilizing behavior, and to protect and defend U.S. forces and personnel in one of the world’s most important waterways,” the U.S. defense secretary said.

He continued: "The United States will not hesitate to take action to defend American lives and assets, and we will continue to make clear to the Houthis that there will be consequences for their unlawful and reckless attacks."