US B-2 long-range bombers hit Houthis: “Unique demonstration”

US B-2 stealth bombers launched airstrikes against underground Houthi rebel bunkers in Yemen early Thursday. This was the first known use of the $2 billion aircraft in a mission of its kind.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin described the action as a “unique demonstration of the United States' ability to target facilities that our adversaries want to keep out of reach, no matter how deeply buried, fortified or fortified.”

The Houthis al-Masirah The news channel confirmed attacks near the Yemeni capital Sanaa and the fortress of Saada, but did not provide any information about the victims. Austin confirmed that the bombers hit “five secured underground weapons depots.”

The attacks also appear to have been intended as a warning to Iran, the Houthis' main backer. The B-2 is capable of dropping the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, critical to possible attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. US Central Command reported no civilian casualties in its initial assessments.

The Red Sea has become increasingly dangerous as the Houthis, who claim to be targeting ships linked to Israel or the US, have attacked over 80 vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two and hijacking another. Many of these ships have no direct connection to the conflict, yet the rebels continue to launch attacks.

The bunkers targeted in the airstrikes are linked to known Houthi bases that have been fortified since the Saudi-led coalition war began in 2015. Analysts believe the Houthis have expanded their underground networks with significant support from Iran, reflecting Tehran's own confidence in this type of infrastructure.

The current conflict in the Middle East was sparked when Hamas militants breached Israel's security on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 civilians and kidnapping 250 others. According to local health authorities, Israel's subsequent offensive in the Gaza Strip has claimed over 42,000 Palestinian lives, devastated vast areas and displaced 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents.

Iranian commander repeats warning to Israel

The head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, General Hossein Salami, repeated threats to Israel on Thursday and warned of further missile attacks if Israel targets Iran.

“Don't repeat your mistake – if you misbehave, if you attack anything of ours in the region or in Iran, we will hurt you again painfully,” Salami said during the funeral of commander Abbas Nilforoushan, who was killed in Beirut.

Salami said Iran's missile fire against Israel in October was the “smallest” action, adding that U.S. air defense systems would not prevent a retaliatory strike. “We know of your weakness, and you know it too,” Salami said.

Two people are injured in an Israeli attack in Syria

Meanwhile, the Syrian military reported that an Israeli strike hit the coastal town of Latakia early Thursday, wounding two civilians and damaging a military post.

The statement carried by state media did not provide further details about the strike or the extent of the damage.

Israel frequently attacks military sites in Syria linked to Iran and Hezbollah. These attacks have increased following exchanges of fire along the Lebanese-Israeli border that began in October 2023.

Hezbollah has attacked Israeli posts in support of the Palestinians and their ally Hamas. The situation escalated when Israel launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon on October 1.

This article contains reporting from The Associated Press