Suspected airstrikes conducted by the United States have continued to ravage areas in Yemen controlled by rebels. Reports indicate that these attacks, claimed to have resulted in at least six fatalities, have primarily targeted the Houthi rebel forces. As the conflict intensifies, satellite imagery reveals intriguing military developments beyond Yemen’s borders, with six B-2 Spirit bombers now stationed at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean – a strategic and unusual deployment during such a tense period involving Yemen and associated regional disputes with Iran.
Under the administration of President Donald Trump, a robust campaign of airstrikes in Yemen seems focused on countering Houthi attacks on shipping lanes in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Based on the casualty reports released by the Houthis, these operations have already resulted in the deaths of at least 67 individuals. The Trump administration explicitly ties these strikes to measures intended to exert pressure on Iran regarding its nuclear aspirations, although specifics of the objectives and targeted locations remain undetailed. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced over 200 strikes since the onset of the campaign.
“Iran’s influence has weakened significantly due to these operations, which have successfully targeted Houthi leadership,” Leavitt noted. “Key figures responsible for attacks on naval and merchant ships have been eliminated, and our mission will persist until secure navigation in these waterways is ensured.” Despite assertions of leadership losses, neither the U.S. nor the Houthis have verified any specific identities. However, leaks purportedly hint at U.S. efforts directed at a prominent Houthi missile commander.
A significant strike reportedly targeted Hodeida, specifically hitting what the Houthis described as a “water project” in Mansuriyah District, resulting in four fatalities and several injuries. Continued strikes hit Hajjah, Saada, and Sanaa governorates, with the Houthis claimed multiple strikes inflicted on Saada late into Wednesday. The rebels have maintained their offensive against U.S. naval forces, particularly targeting the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, central to the U.S.’s heavy assault on the Houthis. The U.S. Navy described these confrontations as the most intense since World War II, although no ships have been struck.
Meanwhile, plans are in motion for the USS Carl Vinson to join the campaign, further strengthening naval support in the region. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell highlighted the planned deployment of additional air units to reinforce operations, though specifics were scant. Additionally, personnel from Idaho’s 124th Fighter Wing have been deployed to complement existing forces, with prominent use of the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft. A recent image from the U.S. Central Command captured two A-10s active in the campaign.
Significantly, new satellite photos interpreted by analysts have confirmed the presence of six B-2 bombers at Camp Thunder Bay, Diego Garcia, reflecting nearly a third of the U.S.’s B-2 fleet stationed at a singular foreign location. Such a deployment is extraordinary, given that typical B-2 missions feature significantly fewer aircraft when showcasing military might abroad. Historically, the B-2, costing approximately $1 billion apiece, has seen limited usage, participating in conflicts such as those in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. B-2 bombers originate from Whiteman Air Base in Missouri, undertaking long-distance sorties from this base.
Previously, B-2 bombers have been employed in Yemen, targeting subterranean Houthi installations, and they remain a potential asset for any U.S. operation targeting Iran’s concealed nuclear developments. Meanwhile, the Houthis have reported shooting down yet another U.S. drone.
Recent reviews suggest that the current U.S. air campaign against the Houthis marks a marked escalation from operations under former President Joe Biden, with a transition towards engaging Houthi leadership and attacking city infrastructures rather than solely focusing on launch sites. This vigorous phase of hostilities was catalyzed by the rebel commitments to re-target “Israeli” shipping in response to aid obstructions to the Gaza Strip, indicating a broad definition that risks many vessels being perceived as potential targets.
A significant number of commercial ships, over a hundred, faced missiles and drone strikes from the Houthis since late 2023, with two vessels sunk, resulting in the loss of four sailors. The Houthis also attempted, unsuccessfully, to strike U.S. troops at sea. These actions have escalated the group’s profile on the global stage, despite their economically beleaguered state and internal strife within Yemen — a nation already fragmented by over a decade of continuous conflict.