The Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization, reported that the United States and the United Kingdom conducted 15 airstrikes on the capital Sana'a and Saada province in northern Yemen. This operation marked the first use of B-2 strategic bombers in attacks against Houthi positions.

According to Al-Masirah, the Houthi-affiliated channel, the coalition launched six strikes on the Al-Television, Al-Hafa, and Jirban areas, both north and south of Sana'a, which are under Houthi control. Additionally, nine strikes targeted the Kahlah and Al-Abla regions in eastern Saada, the main stronghold of the Houthi group.

The Houthi channel did not provide further details regarding the outcomes of the airstrikes. However, social media users shared footage showing flames and smoke rising from targeted sites in Sana'a during the early hours of the attack.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed that U.S. forces executed precise strikes on five underground weapons storage sites in Houthi-controlled areas. He highlighted that the B-2 bombers, significantly larger than previous fighter jets used in operations, are capable of carrying much heavier bomb payloads.

Since November, the Houthis have launched missile attacks on commercial vessels in the Red and Arabian Seas, leading to a shipping crisis that has forced many commercial ships to reroute around the African continent. In response to these threats and to safeguard maritime traffic, the U.S. formed a multinational coalition in December 2023 and has intermittently targeted Houthi military assets.

This operation marks the first instance of the U.S. employing strategic bombers against Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen. The internationally recognized Yemeni government asserts that while Western strikes are ongoing, they are insufficient to neutralize the Houthi threat to maritime navigation, advocating instead for enhanced support for its armed forces to reclaim the port city of Hodeidah and other areas under Houthi control.