Tensions in the Middle East escalated further after Israel launched airstrikes on multiple Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen, including three ports and a key power plant. The Israeli military confirmed that Hudaydah, Ras Isa, and Saif ports were targeted as part of “Operation Black Flag”, a military campaign aimed at neutralizing perceived threats from the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group.
The Israeli Defence Ministry stated that the strikes were retaliation for repeated missile attacks launched by the Houthis toward Israeli territory. The military accused the Houthis of using the ports to smuggle weapons from Iran, with the aim of carrying out attacks against Israel and its allies. Among the specific targets was the Galaxy Leader, a commercial vessel hijacked by the Houthis in 2023 and allegedly repurposed for maritime surveillance.
Following the airstrikes, the Houthis fired two missiles into Israeli territory, prompting air raid sirens across several regions. The Israeli military noted that its air defence systems engaged the incoming missiles, though the effectiveness of the interceptions is still under review.
Houthi-run media confirmed that the attacks struck Hudaydah but did not provide details on the extent of damage or casualties. The port of Hudaydah is a critical lifeline for Yemen, serving as the primary hub for humanitarian aid and food supplies to millions of Yemenis already suffering from years of conflict and famine.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz warned of continued repercussions if Houthi aggression persists. “Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have their hand cut off,” Katz declared, vowing further action if necessary.
In response, a Houthi military spokesperson said the group’s air defences launched a “large number” of domestically produced surface-to-air missiles to repel the Israeli attack.
The latest strikes mark a continuation of a broader conflict landscape tied to the ongoing war in Gaza. The Houthis have consistently expressed solidarity with Palestinians by targeting Israeli assets and ships in the Red Sea.
With the targeting of Yemen’s Ras Kanatib power station vital to cities like Ibb and Taizz concerns grow over worsening humanitarian conditions in a nation already on the brink.
