The attacks targeted five underground weapons depots belonging to the Iran-backed Houthi movement, according to Austin. The damage is unclear.
"This was a unique demonstration of the US's ability to target facilities that our opponents try to keep out of reach, no matter how deeply buried underground, hardened or fortified they are," says the Defense Minister in a statement.
Warning to Iran
It is believed to be the first time strategic bombers of the B-2 type are used in attacks against the Houthis.
According to American media, the attack is also seen as a warning to the main benefactor of the Yemeni movement, Iran. The B-2 is described as the plane that would be used in a potential American attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, as it is the only plane in use capable of dropping the massive GBU-57 bomb, a so-called "bunker buster" bomb.
According to the US, the weapons found in the attacked facilities have been used in attacks on civilian and military vessels in the region.
Expensive planes
The Houthi movement, which controls large parts of Yemen due to the country's civil war, has attacked more than 80 commercial vessels and killed at least four sailors along shipping lanes in the area since the Gaza war broke out.
The Shia Muslim movement has also fired rockets at Israel on several occasions.
The nuclear-capable B-2 bombers are rarely used in US warfare, but have previously dropped bombs over Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. The 19 planes in use are worth around 1 billion dollars each and are based in Missouri in central USA.
