Israeli Strike on Yemen Claims at Least Four Lives

The Israeli military has launched "retaliatory" strikes targeting the Houthi militant group based in Yemen. Read Full Article at RT.com.

Israeli Strike on Yemen Claims at Least Four Lives
Israel conducted airstrikes on the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah on Sunday, focusing on power plants and oil terminals. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that these facilities had been utilized by the Houthi armed group from Yemen for the purpose of “transfer[ring] Iranian weapons to the region.”

The strikes were a response to the “recent attacks against Israel” attributed to the “Houthi terrorist regime,” which holds significant control over northwestern Yemen, according to an IDF statement.

“The targets included power plants and a seaport, which were used by the Houthis to transfer Iranian weapons to the region, in addition to military supplies and oil,” the Israeli military asserted.

The IDF further claimed, “Over the past year, the Houthis have been operating under the direction and funding of Iran, and in cooperation with Iraqi militias, in order to attack the State of Israel, undermine regional stability, and disrupt global freedom of navigation.”

Local media reported that the strikes hit the Hodeidah sea port, as well as a smaller harbor in the Ras Issa area. The Houthi-run Health Ministry reported at least four fatalities resulting from the strikes, including a port worker and three electrical engineers, and noted that 29 others were injured. The attack also led to widespread power outages across the city, with large columns of black smoke observed emanating from the targeted sites.

In recent days, the Houthis have significantly increased their attacks on Israel, frequently launching various projectiles. The group claimed to have launched a “new hypersonic ballistic missile” targeting central Israel last Sunday. While the IDF reported that the missile landed in an open area without causing casualties, it highlights the ongoing tensions.

The Houthis’ actions have contributed to a rise in regional tensions, beginning with a surprise attack on southern Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7 of last year. The Houthi group has been responsible for repeated attacks on Israeli-linked merchant vessels, sinking several, alongside drone and missile strikes against Israel.

These developments prompted a US-led coalition to target Houthi infrastructure and intercept incoming projectiles. Israel had previously conducted a significant bombing campaign on Yemen in July, which also aimed at the Hodeidah area.

James del Carmen for TROIB News