Israeli air raids strike Yemen’s port city and capital controlled by rebels following Houthi assaults on Israel

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A barrage of powerful Israeli airstrikes struck Yemen’s rebel-controlled capital and the port city in the early hours of Thursday, resulting in the deaths of at least nine individuals, according to officials. This escalation occurred shortly after a missile fired by Houthi forces targeted central Israel.

The airstrikes are likely to heighten tensions with the Iranian-backed Houthis, who have increased their assaults on the Red Sea shipping routes, causing significant disruptions to global maritime trade. While the Houthis have managed to avoid the level of military strikes that have been directed at Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, they remain a key player in Iran’s so-called “Axis of Resistance.”

The Israeli Defense Forces reported that two waves of airstrikes were initiated as part of a coordinated operation, utilizing 14 fighter jets. The initial wave focused on Houthi targets located at the Hodeida, Salif ports, and the Ras Isa oil terminal along the Red Sea. This was followed by a second wave targeting Houthi energy facilities in the capital, Sanaa.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized the Houthis as a crucial remaining component of Iran’s influence in the region, stating, “They will learn the hard way that those who threaten Israel will pay a very steep price.” The Houthi-aligned media channel, al-Masirah, reported that several strikes impacted power generation stations in Sanaa, showcasing dramatic footage of flames engulfing one facility as emergency responders attempted to control the fire.

The strikes are expected to exacerbate the already dire electricity shortages in Sanaa, where residents must rely on gas-run generators or private electricity providers due to the deteriorating power infrastructure. Mohammed al-Basha, a Yemen analyst, noted that commercial establishments in Sanaa would face immediate and severe operational disruptions, attributing the ongoing economic crisis to the conflict’s toll.

Al-Masirah’s report indicated a tragic toll of at least seven fatalities in Salif and two at the Ras Isa terminal, in addition to other injuries at Hodeida port. Meanwhile, the Israeli military did not provide an assessment of the damage caused by their strikes. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari commented that these airstrikes targeted the rebels’ energy and port resources, claiming that these facilities were being exploited to support military actions against Israel.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Houthi leaders to take heed of Israel’s response, declaring that any aggression towards the state would be met with severe repercussions. The port city of Hodeida, located approximately 145 kilometers (90 miles) southwest of Sanaa, plays a critical role in facilitating food supplies to Yemen amidst the ongoing conflict, amidst allegations of covert arms transfers from Iran through its facilities.

The airstrikes coincide with an announcement from Israel’s military that they successfully intercepted a missile launched from Yemen prior to it reaching their territory. However, a military spokesperson clarified that the attacks were not a direct retaliation for the missile but rather a response to escalating Houthi provocations that have persisted over recent months.

Sirens were activated in areas near Tel Aviv following the interception, as residents reported hearing a significant explosion in the sky. The military later reported that the missile’s warhead landed on a school building in Ramat Gan, which resulted in the collapse of the structure. It is estimated that since October 7, the Houthis have targeted Israel with over 200 missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree took responsibility for the missile launch a few hours later, stating that they had fired two “Palestine” ballistic missiles toward Israel. This is not the first encounter between the two factions; Israel targeted Hodeida previously in July following a Houthi drone attack in Tel Aviv that resulted in casualties, as well as in September after a rebel missile was aimed at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.

Additionally, American forces have conducted various operations against the Houthis in response to threats to maritime security in the Red Sea. Recently, U.S. Central Command reported successful strikes on critical Houthi military infrastructure in Sanaa. However, Thursday’s airstrikes appear to have been solely executed by Israel, with a U.S. official stating that Washington was not involved in the operations. The United States, while engaging with Houthi targets in the past, is also focused on promoting a durable ceasefire in the protracted conflict in Yemen.

Since the Israel-Hamas conflict ignited in October 2023, the Houthis have been involved in a series of attacks on commercial vessels, utilizing missiles and drones in their efforts. The ongoing clashes have resulted in significant casualties, with reports indicating that Israel’s military offensive has claimed more than 45,000 Palestinian lives, a figure that encompasses both combatants and civilians.

In their retaliatory campaign, the Houthis have sunk two ships and seized another, leading to the loss of four sailors. Some of the Houthi missile attacks have been intercepted by U.S. and European-led coalitions in the Red Sea, while others have failed to reach their intended targets. As the conflict continues, the Houthis assert that their strikes are aimed at vessels connected to the U.S., Israel, or the UK as leverage against Israel’s operations in Gaza. However, a number of ships targeted have no direct ties to the ongoing conflict, including those en route to Iran.

Amidst the larger Yemeni conflict, the Houthis have been engaged in an ongoing confrontation with a Saudi-led coalition, a war that has claimed over 150,000 lives, including civilians. This enduring conflict has resulted in one of the worst humanitarian crises globally, inflicting further death tolls that remain difficult to quantify. Despite the intense military operations unfolding against Hamas and Hezbollah, the Houthis continue to maintain their presence and influence in the region, as Israel faces an evolving landscape of threats and fiery exchanges with Iranian-backed forces.