WASHINGTON: The United States conducted precision strikes on Wednesday against five underground weapons storage locations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement. “US forces targeted several of the Houthis’ underground facilities housing various weapons components of types that the Houthis have used to target civilian and military vessels throughout the region,” Austin said. The statement said air force B-2 bombers took part in the precision strikes. Austin"s announcement followed a report by the Houthi-owned Al Masirah TV early Thursday claiming US-British air strikes targeted Houthi positions in Yemen. Al Masirah TV said the strikes targeted the capital city of Sanaa and the city of Saada. The Houthis said that the strikes targeted Sanaa, Dhamar, Hodeidah and Al-Bayda, with residents reporting thick smoke and explosions rocking military bases in targeted areas. US and British forces have deployed in the Red Sea since the Iran-backed Houthi militia began a drone and missile campaign against commercial vessels passting through the Red Sea in sympathy with Gazans under attack from Israel. The attacks forced many shipping companies avoid the Red Sea and take the longer sea lane passing through the coast of South Africa.