Israel strikes Yemeni port in response to Houthi missile attack

Israeli warplanes have attacked critical Yemeni infrastructure, targeting the port of Hodeidah and oil facilities in Ras Issa in response to a series of missile attacks launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on central Israel.

The Israeli military said the attacks targeted military bases and oil supply infrastructure used by the Houthis to transport Iranian weapons and increase tensions in the region.

According to the Israeli military, the mission involved dozens of aircraft, including tankers, fighter jets, and spy planes, which flew more than 1,800 kilometers to reach the targets.

After the attack, residents of Hodeidah saw smoke coming out of fuel storage tanks. Power outages were reported in much of the city.

The attacks were in response to recent Houthi missile attacks on Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport on Friday and Saturday. Israeli air defenses successfully intercepted the missiles without causing casualties.

However, the Houthis have reportedly stepped up their attacks on Israel, launching more than 220 missiles and drones in the past 11 months.

The Israeli Air Force confirmed that most of the senior leaders of Lebanon’s Hezbollah were killed in the explosion.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant reiterated Israel’s commitment to protecting its citizens, saying that “nothing is too far” for Israeli military operations.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herz Halevy said Israel’s ability to attack distant enemies remains strong, saying: “We know how to reach farther and carry out precision strikes.”

The Houthis claimed responsibility for a series of missile attacks in recent days, claiming that their actions were in response to Israel’s actions in Lebanon and the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut.

Houthi leader Abdul Malik ul Houthi made it clear that Nasrallah’s assassination would not be responded to.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli airstrikes, accusing them of targeting civilian infrastructure such as power plants and oil tanks. Iranian officials expressed concern about the impact of Israel’s military actions on regional stability and world peace.

Israel launched its first strike in Yemen in July when a drone launched by the Houthis attacked Tel Aviv, killing one civilian and injuring many others. The strike was Israel’s second major airstrike against the Houthis in Yemen.

The Israeli army said it remained determined to act on any threats emanating from the region.