The United States has stepped up its military campaign in Yemen. While the Pentagon has not disclosed details regarding specific aircraft deployments, reports indicate that at least six B-2 Spirit ‘stealth’ bombers have been positioned at the U.S.-British military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
Simultaneously, Washington has deployed a second aircraft carrier group, Carl Vinson, to the Middle East, signaling a major escalation in its confrontation with the Iranian-backed Houthi militia.
The escalation comes amid the downing of at least three U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones by Houthi forces in recent weeks. These high-value unmanned aircraft, each costing around US$30 million, were conducting surveillance over Yemeni airspace when they were hit.
Footage released by Houthi-linked media shows wreckage allegedly from the drones. The images appear consistent with known components of MQ-9s, although the U.S. Department of Defense has not confirmed the exact locations or methods of the shootdowns.
Analysts believe the Houthis have used mobile surface-to-air missile systems and possibly electronic warfare tactics to target the drones. Their arsenal likely includes Iranian-derived systems like the Sayyad-2C and Saqr, as well as Russian-made SA-6 missiles. This mix suggests a blend of pre-war stockpiles, smuggled hardware, and locally adapted technologies.
Since the U.S. campaign began on March 15, more than 60 people have been killed in Yemen. The Houthis had warned they would resume strikes on Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea after Israel violated a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
The Houthis have also used propaganda to highlight their drone takedowns. According to Mohammed Al-Basha, founder of the Basha Report consultancy, they even released a satirical song titled baw-wart—a local slang term meaning “useless”—mocking the drone’s effectiveness.
B-2 Bombers In Action!
The U.S. military’s decision to deploy B-2 Spirit stealth bombers represents a shift in strategy. Unlike drones or Gulf-based fighter jets, B-2s can launch long-range precision strikes while minimizing radar detection.
Its distinctive flying-wing design and radar-absorbing materials make it difficult to track. Operated by a two-person crew, the bomber has a range of 6,000 nautical miles, extendable to 10,000 with aerial refueling.
Powered by four General Electric F118 engines, the B-2 can fly at high subsonic speeds and reach altitudes of up to 50,000 feet. It can carry up to 40,000 pounds of munitions, including guided bombs, bunker-busters, and nuclear payloads.
In Yemen, B-2s have reportedly targeted underground bunkers and fortified Houthi facilities, demonstrating their ability to penetrate hardened defenses with precision.
Launching from Diego Garcia—a remote but strategic base—allows the U.S. to bypass regional airspace constraints. Satellite imagery from Planet Labs in late March showed at least six B-2s parked at the base, prompting speculation about their role. By early April, analysts had linked B-2 activity to nighttime bombing raids over northern Yemen.
U.S. Military Buildup In The Region
The United States has deployed a second aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, to the Middle East amid escalating Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. This move is part of Washington’s broader effort to safeguard commercial maritime traffic under “Operation Prosperity Guardian,” a U.S.-led mission providing naval escorts and air cover.
Redirected from Indo-Pacific duties, the Carl Vinson joins the USS Harry S. Truman, which has been active in the region since last December.
Commissioned in 1982, the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier named after Congressman Carl Vinson, a key supporter of U.S. naval expansion. The ship has earned the nickname “America’s favorite aircraft carrier.”
It played a major role in Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led campaign launched after 9/11 to target al-Qaeda and Taliban forces in Afghanistan. The Vinson launched the first airstrikes of the war.
The carrier has also taken part in humanitarian missions, including the 2010 Haiti earthquake response.
The deployment of two carriers marks a significant escalation and reflects Washington’s growing concern about the Houthis’ increasingly advanced military capabilities.
On April 3, Fox News national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin reported that Houthis have shot down three MQ-9 Reaper drones since March.
“The first MQ-9 drone was shot down on March 3rd. Days later, the White House launched airstrikes against the Houthis. The second MQ-9 was shot down on Monday. And today, the 3rd one was shot down,” Griffin posted on the social media site X on April 4.
He further claimed that the Houthis have shot down at least 13 American drones since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023.
The MQ-9 Reaper is a cornerstone of U.S. drone operations—used for surveillance, precision strikes, and real-time intelligence. Each Reaper costs about US$30 million and is equipped with sophisticated sensors, long-range operational capabilities, and the ability to carry Hellfire missiles and laser-guided bombs.
However, they are not invincible. Their relatively slow speed, large radar cross-section, and predictable flight paths—especially during loitering or reconnaissance missions—make them susceptible to anti-aircraft fire or electronic warfare.
Reports suggest the Houthis may be using a combination of Russian-made air defense systems, repurposed surface-to-air missiles, or Iranian-assisted signal tracking to target these drones.
Russia has reportedly provided targeting data to Yemen’s Houthi rebels during their missile and drone attacks on Western vessels in the Red Sea last year.
The repeated losses of Reapers—considered high-value assets—raise questions about the risk-reward calculus of flying such drones in contested airspace without adequately suppressing enemy air defenses. These incidents have added urgency to Pentagon efforts to reassert control over one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors.
Houthi Capabilities
The Houthis have developed a large arsenal of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones—much of it believed to originate from Iran. Although Tehran denies directly arming the group, its influence remains a central concern.
The Houthis claim their actions are a response to U.S. and Israeli aggression, framing the conflict as part of a regional resistance axis. They have vowed to continue targeting U.S. forces and commercial vessels until Washington ends its support for Israel’s war in Gaza.
Their successful takedown of MQ-9 drones has bolstered their image as a formidable actor within the so-called Axis of Resistance. These incidents have won praise from anti-U.S. and pro-Palestinian factions across the Arab world.
The Houthis, once a ragtag militia, now demonstrate strategic mobility and technical sophistication. In recent months, they’ve evaded U.S. airstrikes by using mobile launchers, decoys, and underground bunkers.
Fears Of Spillover
The Yemen conflict increasingly resembles a proxy war between the U.S. and Iran. Regional players such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE—earlier targets of Houthi missile strikes—are monitoring the situation closely but have so far stayed out of direct involvement.
Concerns are mounting over a possible spillover. Neighboring countries like Oman and key chokepoints like the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could also get entangled in the conflict. Commercial vessels are now rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope, adding thousands of kilometers and millions in extra costs.
There are also fears that U.S. troops stationed in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan could face retaliatory attacks from other Iran-backed militias as a result of Washington’s escalation in Yemen.
The loss of MQ-9 drones to a non-state actor, combined with the deployment of B-2 bombers, highlights a sobering truth: technological superiority alone no longer guarantees dominance. The Houthis, despite being heavily outgunned, have demonstrated how localized tactics, mobility, and resolve can offset advanced military hardware.
This conflict is part of a broader shift in modern warfare, where relatively inexpensive drones, missiles, and adaptive tactics can disrupt the traditional balance of power.
Via: ET News Desk
Mail us at: editor (at) eurasiantimes.com
