Israel strikes Yemen ports, power stations in retaliation against Houthis
Dozens of Israeli fighter jets struck three ports and two power plants in Sanaa, the capital.
The Israeli Air Force carried out a series of airstrikes early Thursday morning on the western coast of Yemen and deeper in the country, targeting military positions and infrastructure belonging to the Houthis.
The Israeli attacks coincided with the Houthis, an Iranian-backed militant group, firing a ballistic missile at central Israel. The Israeli military said the long-range Arrow air defense system intercepted the missile outside Israeli airspace. Still, falling shrapnel damaged a school in the city of Ramat Gan.
The Houthi attack was the second ballistic missile fired from Yemen this week toward central Israel. A drone attack two weeks ago damaged a house in the town of Yavne. An Israeli man was killed last July when the Houthis fired a ballistic missile at Tel Aviv.
Thursday’s airstrikes were conducted in two waves, the Israeli military said in a statement. The first wave, at 3:15 a.m. local time, targeted the port of Hodeidah, which Israel had struck twice before, and the Ras Isa and Salif ports. The second wave took place at 4:30 a.m., striking two power stations in Sanaa. It was the first Israeli attack on the Yemeni capital. Nine people died in the strikes, according to Houthi-controlled Al Masirah TV.
Dozens of Israeli Air Force aircraft — including fighter jets, refueling planes and spy planes — participated in the operation, which was conducted some 1,243 miles from Israel, said the military.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz posted a video on X in which he said, "We attacked the Houthis in Yemen tonight. I warn the leaders of the Houthi terrorist organization: Israel's long arm will reach you too." He added, "We will hit hard and will not allow shooting and threats against the State of Israel."
Over the past year, the Houthis have fired more than 200 ballistic missiles and over 170 drones at Israel, most of them shot down by US or Israeli forces.
Since Hamas’ October 2023 attack in southern Israel, the Houthis have fired more than 200 ballistic missiles and over 170 drones at Israel in support of the Palestinians in Gaza after Israel launched a retaliatory offensive in the enclave. Most of the missiles were shot down by US or Israeli forces.
