Israeli fighter jets launched airstrikes on a seaport and multiple power stations in Yemen on Sunday, as a response to a series of recent missile attacks on central Israel by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The Israeli military confirmed that the strikes specifically targeted oil infrastructure located in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah and the Ras Issa area. While details on casualties have yet to be reported, local residents confirmed that fuel storage tanks at the Hodeidah port were hit, and smoke was seen rising from the area following the bombardment.
The attacks followed two missile launches by the Houthi rebels, aimed at Tel Aviv and its surrounding areas, which took place on Friday and Saturday. These missiles were successfully intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems. This escalation marks the continuation of a string of retaliatory actions between the Houthis and Israel. In July, Israel bombed Hodeidah in response to a Houthi drone strike that hit a building in Tel Aviv, resulting in the death of one man and injuries to several others.
In its statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) emphasized its resolve to protect Israeli citizens from threats, regardless of their origin. The operation involved dozens of Israeli aircraft, which flew over 1 800 kilometers (approximately 1 100 miles) to carry out the strikes. The IDF reiterated that it would continue to act against threats to Israel, both near and far.
These strikes in Yemen occurred in parallel with Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes have targeted Hezbollah, another Iranian-backed militia. The campaign in Lebanon has been devastating, with over 1 000 people reportedly killed and hundreds of thousands displaced. Many of Hezbollah’s senior leaders, who are based in Beirut, have been targeted and killed in these strikes. The simultaneous military actions in Yemen and Lebanon reflect the broader regional tensions involving Israel, Iran, and their respective proxy forces.
