Israel's recent military actions against Houthi targets underscore the complex dynamics of the ongoing regional conflict and the Houthi's retaliatory stances.
Israel Launches Airstrikes on Houthi Positions in Yemen’s Ports
Israel Launches Airstrikes on Houthi Positions in Yemen’s Ports
Israeli military conducts targeted attacks in response to ongoing Houthi aggression.
Israel has initiated a series of airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled sites across three key Yemeni ports, including the western port city of Hudaydah, alongside Ras Isa and Saif. These strikes were executed following evacuation warnings issued by the Israeli military, which indicated an imminent threat to civilians in the region.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the operation on social media, branding it “Operation Black Flag,” indicating the strikes hit significant Houthi infrastructure such as a power station and a commercial ship that had been hijacked two years prior. Local Houthi media outlets reported that the Hudaydah port was targeted, though they provided scant details about the extent of damage or casualties incurred during the attacks.
In his statements, Katz threatened that the Houthis would face severe repercussions for their aggressive actions towards Israel, asserting, “The fate of Yemen is the same as the fate of Tehran. Anyone who tries to harm Israel will be harmed…” This aggressive posture is a continuation of heightened tension following the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict, where the Iranian-backed Houthis have launched missiles at Israel in solidarity with Palestinian groups and have targeted vessels in the Red Sea.
The Israeli Air Force argued that the recent strikes were a necessary response to what they termed "repeated attacks" from the Houthis against Israeli interests. They emphasized that the ports were allegedly being used as conduits for weapon transfers from Iran intended for operations against Israel and its allies.
In response to the airstrikes, Houthi sources claimed their air defenses successfully intercepted some of Israel's missiles. Among the identified targets was the Galaxy Leader, a commercial vessel seized by the group in November 2023, which Israel claimed was utilized for monitoring maritime activity in international waters. Additionally, the Ras Kanatib power station, crucial for supplying electricity to nearby cities, was also struck during the operation.
These military actions signal a significant uptick in hostilities as Israeli navy ships targeted the port city of Hudaydah just a month earlier. The Hudaydah port itself stands as a vital entry point for humanitarian aid and resources to millions of Yemenis, making the context of these strikes particularly sensitive.
