US bombers target Houthi weapon sites in Yemen

The Pentagon says the US has carried out what it called "precision strikes" against five weapons storage locations in parts of Yemen controlled by the Houthi group.

The US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said US forces - including long-range bombers - targeted underground facilities housing weapons components that were being used to attack civilian and military ships in the region.

He said the strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis demonstrated the ability of the US to target facilities that its adversaries sought "to keep out of reach".

Since November last year, the Houthis have launched attacks on around 100 ships in the Red Sea, sinking two vessels. The group says the attacks are retaliation for Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

US Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, said on social media there were no initial indications of civilian casualties from the mission.

It said the US Air Force and the US Navy were used in the operation, which included the use of long-range stealth bombers.

The Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have forced major shipping companies to avoid the waterway, impacting international trade.

Austin said in a statement that "at the direction of President Biden, I authorised these targeted strikes to further degrade the Houthis' capability to continue their destabilising behaviour and to protect and defend US forces and personnel in one of the world's most critical waterways."

He added that the US would "continue to make it clear" to the Houthis that there would be "consequences for their illegal and reckless attacks".

In September, the Pentagon said the Houthis had launched "a complex attack" on US Navy ships in the region, though all of the weapons launched were shot down.

As well as the attacks on ships in the Red Sea, the Houthis have fired several missiles and drones at Israel directly.

In July, a drone launched from Yemen struck Tel Aviv, killing one person and injuring 10. In September, the group fired several missiles at Israel, including one that targeted Israel's main airport.

Both times Israel responded by attacking sites in Yemen.

Earlier this year, the US, UK and 12 other nations launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect Red Sea shipping lanes against the Houthis.

The Houthis are part of a network of armed groups in the Middle East backed by Iran that includes Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.