Yemen Monitor/Ma’rib/Exclusive
For the first time, US F-35C fighter jets, deployed aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, have participated in a series of airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. These attacks, which took place between November 9th and 10th, 2024, targeted multiple locations within Houthi-held territories.
The US Central Command released a video on its official X account showing the fighter jets launching attacks on Houthi positions.
In a Pentagon press briefing, US Defense Department Press Secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder stated that US Central Command forces conducted strikes on several Houthi weapons storage facilities located within Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen. These facilities contained a variety of advanced conventional weapons used by the Iranian-backed Houthis to target US and international military and civilian vessels operating in international waters in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
He added that the operation involved US air and naval forces, including F-35 fighter jets. This operation was carried out in response to repeated and unlawful attacks by the Houthis on international commercial shipping as well as coalition and commercial vessels in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden.
The goal is to weaken the Houthis’ ability to threaten regional partners. As we have said before, we will continue to make clear to the Houthis that there will be consequences for their unlawful and reckless attacks.
In October 2024, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that “precision strikes” had been carried out, targeting five “hardened underground weapons storage sites” in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, using B-2 bombers. This marked the first time these stealth bombers had been used, and Austin described it as a “unique demonstration of the US’s ability to strike globally, anytime, anywhere.”
The Houthis have targeted nearly 200 commercial ships with missiles and drones since the start of Gaza war in October 2023. They have captured one ship and sunk two others in the campaign, which has also resulted in the deaths of four sailors. A US-led coalition has also intercepted other missiles and drones in the Red Sea or prevented them from reaching their targets, which have also included Western military vessels.
In response, the US and UK have been conducting airstrikes against Iranian-backed Houthi militants since January 11th. As a result, the Houthis have announced an expansion of their operations to include US and UK vessels.
