US stealth bombs struck underground bunkers used by Yemen’s Houthi rebels early on Thursday morning.

At least five bunkers holding weapons were hit by the long-range B-2 stealth bombers in the first time the weapons have been used inside of Yemen.

The strikes were reported around the capital of Sanaa, which the group has held since 2014, and the Houthi stronghold of Saada.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the attacks, telling reporters that the B-2 bombers targeted “five hardened underground weapons storage locations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen”.

Houthi rebels have been attacking ships in the Red Sea corridor for months, as well as targets inside of Israel.

It follows Israeli attacks last month on the port of Hodeidah in Yemen that involved hundreds of Israeli planes, marking one of the biggest operations seen in the near year-long crisis in the region to date.