### US Conducts Second Night of Strikes Against Houthi Targets in Yemen

For the second consecutive night, the United States has launched strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, according to a US defense official on Sunday. Specific details regarding the type of weaponry used, the precise targets, or the exact locations of the strikes remain unclear. Reports of explosions have emerged from the Amran and Saada governorates, located north of Yemen's capital, Sanaa, areas where the US has previously conducted strikes.

On Saturday, US fighter jets executed strikes on at least three Houthi locations. These operations targeted facilities used by the Iran-supported rebel group to store advanced conventional weapons. These arms have been employed to attack US warships and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The Houthis are part of an alliance led by Iran, which also includes Hamas and Hezbollah. This coalition, covering regions from Yemen to Syria, Gaza, and Iraq, has carried out attacks on Israel and its allies since the onset of the Gaza conflict. The Houthis have stated they will continue their assaults until a ceasefire is achieved in the Palestinian enclave.

Yemen's humanitarian crisis, already severe, has worsened since the civil war began in 2014 when Houthi forces captured Sanaa and overthrew the internationally recognized, Saudi-backed government. The country, with a population exceeding 34 million, faces significant food shortages further aggravated by climate disasters. Earlier this year, deadly flooding exacerbated the plight of the 4.5 million internally displaced Yemenis in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, as highlighted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Over the past 11 months, the US has repeatedly targeted Houthi installations, yet the militant group's attacks have persisted. In mid-October, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the deployment of stealth B-2 bombers to strike the group for the first time. These sophisticated bombers, part of the US's long-range strike capabilities, can carry a significantly larger payload than conventional fighter jets.

The recent attack was ordered by President Joe Biden, with Austin stating that it served to "make clear to the Houthis that there will be consequences for their illegal and reckless attacks." Amid Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the US has bolstered its military presence in the region. This includes a carrier strike group, additional guided missile destroyers, an amphibious ready group, a marine expeditionary unit, and a range of aircraft, including both fighter and attack types, as reported by CNN last month.