USAF B-2s Strike Houthi Weapons Depots in Yemen

The Pentagon has confirmed that U.S. military forces carried out airstrikes against Houthi rebel weapons depots in Yemen last night. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that the raid was executed by USAF B-2 bombers launched from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. The B-2 is a much larger platform than the fighter jets previously used, capable of carrying a significantly heavier bomb load. The last combat mission involving B-2s was in Libya on January 18, 2017, targeting an ISIS training camp near Sirte.

The use of B-2 bombers serves as an indirect warning to Iran, showcasing that the U.S. can strike any target when necessary, anywhere in the world. It’s worth noting that no tracking of the mission occurred, including any supporting tankers, preventing any speculation about the route. In any case, the minimum distance between the departure base and Yemen is over 12,000 km (24,000 km round-trip, non-stop).