Israel Conducts Airstrikes in Yemen Targeting Houthi Infrastructure
Israeli military responds to missile aimed at Ben Gurion Airport, striking port facilities and cement factory in Hodeidah.
In a significant military escalation, Israel has launched extensive airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen's Hodeidah province, following a missile attack that landed near Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, involved a ballistic missile that Israel failed to intercept, resulting in a substantial impact on the civilian infrastructure surrounding the airport.
This marks the sixth retaliatory wave of strikes by Israel against the Iran-aligned Houthi group since July 20, 2023.
The targeted Israeli strikes on Monday evening hit the Hodeidah port and a cement factory, with the Israeli military reporting that these locations are critical for the Houthis' operational capabilities.
The strikes are part of ongoing efforts aimed at counteracting threats to international maritime navigation and deterring further attacks against Israel.
According to Israeli military sources, the Hodeidah port is known to be a key entry point for Iranian weapon shipments to the Houthis, which significantly contributes to their military funding.
The airstrikes also targeted the Bajel cement plant, noted as an important infrastructure element supporting the Houthi economy.
Israeli spokesperson Avichai Adraee confirmed the military's determination to act decisively against threats to Israeli citizens.
The Houthi group, while claiming to target Israeli and U.S. forces in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, has faced accusations from the internationally recognized Yemeni government of implementing Iran's regional agenda.
In the aftermath of the missile strike that targeted Ben Gurion Airport, Yemen's Minister of Information, Mukhtar al-Eryani, characterized the situation as a tragedy caused by Houthi actions, linking it to the broader context of military confrontations threatening both regional and international interests.
Al-Eryani asserted that the Houthis have consistently acted as proxies for the Iranian government, utilizing Yemen’s territories as platforms for Iranian missile launches.
He emphasized the detrimental impact of Houthi activities on the Yemeni people, noting the group's military ambitions and the resulting humanitarian crises.
Furthermore, Hodeidah Governorate official Walid al-Qudaimi reported substantial destruction from the Israeli airstrikes, specifically mentioning the complete destruction of the port's dock and damage to essential electricity generators.
He underscored the significance of the port, which processes about 80 percent of Yemen's food supplies, highlighting the potential humanitarian implications of its operational status.
As the airstrikes unfolded, there were no immediate reports of casualties; however, officials speculated about possible fatalities, particularly at the cement factory.
Al-Qudaimi expressed concerns over the expensive repairs required for the port's restoration and urged for a unified response to counter Houthi threats, which he described as a malignant entity undermining regional security.
The situation continues to evolve, with both military and humanitarian implications for Yemen, as well as the complex geopolitical dynamics involving Iran, Israel, and the Yemeni conflict.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, involved a ballistic missile that Israel failed to intercept, resulting in a substantial impact on the civilian infrastructure surrounding the airport.
This marks the sixth retaliatory wave of strikes by Israel against the Iran-aligned Houthi group since July 20, 2023.
The targeted Israeli strikes on Monday evening hit the Hodeidah port and a cement factory, with the Israeli military reporting that these locations are critical for the Houthis' operational capabilities.
The strikes are part of ongoing efforts aimed at counteracting threats to international maritime navigation and deterring further attacks against Israel.
According to Israeli military sources, the Hodeidah port is known to be a key entry point for Iranian weapon shipments to the Houthis, which significantly contributes to their military funding.
The airstrikes also targeted the Bajel cement plant, noted as an important infrastructure element supporting the Houthi economy.
Israeli spokesperson Avichai Adraee confirmed the military's determination to act decisively against threats to Israeli citizens.
The Houthi group, while claiming to target Israeli and U.S. forces in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, has faced accusations from the internationally recognized Yemeni government of implementing Iran's regional agenda.
In the aftermath of the missile strike that targeted Ben Gurion Airport, Yemen's Minister of Information, Mukhtar al-Eryani, characterized the situation as a tragedy caused by Houthi actions, linking it to the broader context of military confrontations threatening both regional and international interests.
Al-Eryani asserted that the Houthis have consistently acted as proxies for the Iranian government, utilizing Yemen’s territories as platforms for Iranian missile launches.
He emphasized the detrimental impact of Houthi activities on the Yemeni people, noting the group's military ambitions and the resulting humanitarian crises.
Furthermore, Hodeidah Governorate official Walid al-Qudaimi reported substantial destruction from the Israeli airstrikes, specifically mentioning the complete destruction of the port's dock and damage to essential electricity generators.
He underscored the significance of the port, which processes about 80 percent of Yemen's food supplies, highlighting the potential humanitarian implications of its operational status.
As the airstrikes unfolded, there were no immediate reports of casualties; however, officials speculated about possible fatalities, particularly at the cement factory.
Al-Qudaimi expressed concerns over the expensive repairs required for the port's restoration and urged for a unified response to counter Houthi threats, which he described as a malignant entity undermining regional security.
The situation continues to evolve, with both military and humanitarian implications for Yemen, as well as the complex geopolitical dynamics involving Iran, Israel, and the Yemeni conflict.
