Israel's military response aims to dismantle threats from Houthi rebels, intensifying an already complex conflict.
Israel Targets Houthi Ports in Escalating Military Action
Israel Targets Houthi Ports in Escalating Military Action
Israeli strikes hit Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen amid ongoing tensions.
Israeli forces have executed air strikes on three Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen, specifically targeting Hudaydah, Ras Isa, and Saif. The military actions come on the heels of a warning issued by the Israeli military, urging civilians in those areas to evacuate due to expected air assaults. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the strikes via social media, emphasizing that they focused on Houthi installations including a power station and a commercial ship previously seized by the rebels.
Local media outlets in Yemen affiliated with the Houthis reported that Israeli air strikes did indeed hit the port of Hudaydah, but specifics regarding damage or casualties were not disclosed. Katz labeled the operation "Operation Black Flag," asserting that the Houthis would "continue to pay a heavy price for their actions." He further declared that any aggression against Israel would lead to severe repercussions.
Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Iran-backed Houthis have shown solidarity with the Palestinian cause, regularly firing missiles toward Israel and launching attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The Israeli Air Force stated that the recent attacks on Yemen's ports were necessary due to repeated Houthi assaults against Israel and its citizens, pinpointing the ports as avenues for the Iranian regime to funnel weaponry intended for terrorist operations against Israel and its allies.
In a statement shortly following the strikes, Houthi officials claimed to have engaged with their air defense systems to counter the Israeli attacks. Among the key targets struck was the Galaxy Leader, a commercial vessel hijacked by the Houthis in late 2023, which Israel accused of surveilling international maritime traffic. Additionally, the Ras Kanatib power station, crucial for providing electricity to surrounding cities like Ibb and Taizz, was also impacted by the air strikes.
Hudaydah port, often critical for delivering food and humanitarian aid to millions of Yemenis, has faced repeated Israeli offensives throughout the past year, underscoring the volatile and complex nature of the conflict in the region.
Local media outlets in Yemen affiliated with the Houthis reported that Israeli air strikes did indeed hit the port of Hudaydah, but specifics regarding damage or casualties were not disclosed. Katz labeled the operation "Operation Black Flag," asserting that the Houthis would "continue to pay a heavy price for their actions." He further declared that any aggression against Israel would lead to severe repercussions.
Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Iran-backed Houthis have shown solidarity with the Palestinian cause, regularly firing missiles toward Israel and launching attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The Israeli Air Force stated that the recent attacks on Yemen's ports were necessary due to repeated Houthi assaults against Israel and its citizens, pinpointing the ports as avenues for the Iranian regime to funnel weaponry intended for terrorist operations against Israel and its allies.
In a statement shortly following the strikes, Houthi officials claimed to have engaged with their air defense systems to counter the Israeli attacks. Among the key targets struck was the Galaxy Leader, a commercial vessel hijacked by the Houthis in late 2023, which Israel accused of surveilling international maritime traffic. Additionally, the Ras Kanatib power station, crucial for providing electricity to surrounding cities like Ibb and Taizz, was also impacted by the air strikes.
Hudaydah port, often critical for delivering food and humanitarian aid to millions of Yemenis, has faced repeated Israeli offensives throughout the past year, underscoring the volatile and complex nature of the conflict in the region.
