Israeli Airstrikes Target Houthi Infrastructure in Yemen Amid Rising Tensions

Israeli Airstrikes Target Houthi Positions in Yemen

In a significant escalation, Israeli fighter jets launched airstrikes on targets in Yemen associated with the Iran-backed Houthi militia on Saturday. This military action came just a day after a deadly drone strike in Tel Aviv, which claimed the life of one Israeli and left several others injured. This incident marks the first time in months that Israel has taken direct military action against the Houthis, amid rising tensions in the region.

The Israeli airstrikes focused on critical infrastructure, including gas and oil depots as well as a power station located near Yemen’s strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. According to two regional officials, the port is under Houthi control and serves as a crucial hub for both oil exports and the delivery of essential goods and humanitarian aid to a country grappling with severe poverty.

An official statement from the Israeli military indicated that the airstrikes were a response to “the hundreds of attacks” launched by the Houthis in recent months. Interestingly, the military did not impose stricter emergency civil defense regulations following the attack, suggesting that Israeli officials may not anticipate a significant escalation in hostilities at this time.

In response to the airstrikes, Houthi spokesman Nasruddin Amer asserted that retaliation from the group was “inevitable.” He emphasized on social media, “Our country is at war with the enemy Zionist entity and it will not stop its operations in support of Gaza. Rather, it will escalate the operations.”

The Houthis have been actively engaged in launching a barrage of missiles and drones towards Israel, framing their actions as a show of solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. Additionally, they have been threatening maritime vessels in an effort to impose a blockade on the Israeli port of Eilat, further complicating the already volatile situation in the region.