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Israel Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen: A Bold Move to Counter Regional Threats
Edited by: Fern Sidman
A series of intense Israeli airstrikes shook Yemen’s rebel-held capital Sanaa and a port city early Thursday, shortly after a Houthi missile targeted central Israel, as was reported by the Associated Press.
Watch: The moments of the IDF attack this evening in Yemen
Reports from Yemen say that large parts of the country are now without power. @IDF @yemen_mofa @USEmbassyYemen @Israel #bombing #powersupply
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The strikes happened just after the Israeli military said its air force intercepted a missile launched from Yemen before it entered the country’s territory.
“Rocket and missile sirens were sounded following the possibility of falling debris from the interception,” the Israeli military said. The AP reported that sirens sounded near Tel Aviv and the surrounding areas, and a large explosion was heard overhead at the time. The Houthis did not immediately claim the missile attack, but said an important military statement would be issued in the coming hours, following a pattern of how they claim their assaults.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted Houthi strongholds in the region. According to a report on Israel National News (INN), the operation aimed to neutralize threats posed by the Iranian-backed Houthi regime, which has repeatedly launched attacks against Israel. The strikes mark a pivotal moment in Israel’s regional security strategy and underline its resolve to counter threats emanating from distant fronts.
The pictures that come from Yemen: Yemen is on fire 🔥🔥 @yemen_mofa @USEmbassyYemen #Houthis #Iran @IDF @IDF #bombings
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The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed that the strikes, which were executed by Israel Air Force (IAF) fighter jets, targeted key military assets of the Houthi regime along Yemen’s western coast and inland regions. As INN reported, these operations were carried out with the coordination of the Intelligence Directorate and the Israeli Navy, following approval from Defense Minister Israel Katz.
The IDF stated that the Houthi targets were strategically significant, serving military purposes and facilitating the smuggling of Iranian weapons. An Israeli military statement offered no details on the targets hit. “The targets struck by the (Israeli military) were used by the Houthi forces for military purposes,” the statement said. “The strikes degrade the Houthi terrorist regime, preventing it from exploiting the targets for military and terrorist purposes, including the smuggling of Iranian weapons to the region.”
The IDF’s statement, as reported by INN, emphasized the growing threat posed by the Houthi regime. Over the past year, the Houthis, operating under Iran’s direction and financial support, have carried out numerous attacks on Israeli territory, disrupting regional stability and global navigation. While most of these attacks were successfully intercepted, the persistent threat necessitated a decisive response.
“The IDF is determined to continue operating against all threats posed to the citizens of the State of Israel, wherever necessary,” the statement read, as quoted by INN.
The Associated Press reported that Houthi-controlled media reported the strikes, but offered no immediate information on casualties nor damage. The Houthi-controlled satellite channel al-Masirah said that some of the strikes targeted power stations in the capital, as well as the Ras Isa oil terminal on the Red Sea.
According to Arab media cited by INN, the strikes targeted the Yemeni capital Sanaa—a stronghold of the Houthi rebels—for the first time, as well as the port city of Hodeidah. The operation reportedly involved dozens of Israeli fighter jets and resulted in the destruction of several key installations. Among the targets hit were two power stations, one of which was completely destroyed, leading to widespread power outages across Sanaa.
Breaking: Reports from Yemen say that the IDF is now bombing Yemen. @yemen_mofa @USEmbassyYemen #Houthis @IDF @Israel #bombing
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Israel previously struck Hodeida and its oil infrastructure in July after a Houthi drone attack killed one person and wounded 10 in Tel Aviv, as was noted in the AP report.
American forces have also launched a series of strikes on the Houthis over nearly a year due to Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea corridor. The AP report indicated that on Monday, the U.S. military’s Central Command said it hit “a key command-and-control facility” operated by the Houthis in Sanaa, later identified as the al-Ardi complex once home to the government’s Defense Ministry.
But on Thursday, a U.S. military official said the attacks weren’t carried out by the Americans, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing strikes.
The Houthis have targeted some 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip started in October 2023 after Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel.
The Houthis have seized one vessel and sunk two in a campaign that has also killed four sailors. The AP report said that other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by separate U.S.- and European-led coalitions in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have also included Western military vessels.
The INN report further noted that the strikes were not only a tactical response to immediate threats but also a strategic move to disrupt the supply chains and operational capabilities of the Houthi forces, particularly their ability to smuggle weapons from Iran.
The operation draws attention to Israel’s commitment to countering Iranian influence in the region. INN reported that the Houthi regime has been working closely with Iranian-backed Iraqi militias to destabilize the region and threaten Israeli civilians. By striking in Yemen, Israel has sent a clear message about its willingness to confront threats far beyond its borders.
This action also highlights the interconnected nature of the threats Israel faces. As the INN pointed out, the Houthis’ alignment with Iran and their capacity to disrupt regional stability and global maritime navigation have elevated them as a critical target for Israel’s defense strategy.
The INN report indicated the historical significance of these strikes, marking the first time Israel has conducted operations in Sanaa. This development signifies an expansion of Israel’s operational scope in addressing threats tied to Iranian-backed proxies. The bold nature of the strikes and their focus on critical Houthi infrastructure reflect Israel’s broader strategy of preemptive defense.
As the INN report emphasized, this operation is not only a tactical success but also a demonstration of Israel’s strategic determination to protect its citizens and interests against adversaries operating under Iranian influence. With regional stability and global navigation at stake, Israel’s actions in Yemen illustrate its resolve to counter emerging threats, irrespective of geographical boundaries.
