Israeli air strikes in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen have resulted in at least 35 casualties, according to reports from the Iran-backed group’s health ministry. The attack targeted military sites in the capital, Sanaa, and the al-Jawf province.
The Israeli military claimed the strikes were a response to recent missile and drone assaults on Israel. They stated that they struck military targets, including what they identified as the Houthis' military public relations headquarters. However, Houthi officials have asserted that the strikes impacted civilian structures, including newspaper offices, leading to the deaths of journalists and bystanders.
Following the air strikes, the Israeli military intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, though the Houthis did not confirm this information. One Houthi leader threatened to retaliate against Israeli actions.
In a prior incident, an Israeli attack in Sanaa had killed several high-ranking members of the Houthi government, indicating the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Houthi forces, which have escalated since the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas in October 2023.
Recent videos from Sanaa showcased severe destruction in the aftermath of the strikes, with responders searching the wreckage for survivors. The IDF reported hitting multiple military facilities along with a fuel storage site, claiming these were actively used in planning operations against Israel.
The situation remains tense, as both sides prepare for further clashes amidst a backdrop of civil unrest in Yemen, where the Houthis have maintained control for over a decade following their ousting of the internationally recognized government.
