The Israeli military has announced a series of air strikes targeting Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen, marking a significant escalation in military actions in response to ongoing missile and drone assaults on Israel. Among the identified targets were the vital Red Sea ports of Hudaydah, Ras Issa, and al-Salif, as well as a power station nearby and a cargo ship named Galaxy Leader, which had been seized by Houthi rebels in November 2023.
According to military reports, the Galaxy Leader was being utilized by the Houthis to monitor international shipping routes. In response to the Israeli strikes, the Houthi military spokesman claimed that their air defense systems successfully engaged the incoming attacks, with no casualties reported from the strikes.
Escalating tensions in the region
After the strikes, the Israeli military reported that two missiles were launched from Yemen aimed at Israel, triggering sirens in various areas of the occupied West Bank and southern Israel. The military is currently assessing its response capability to intercept such missile threats.
State-run Houthi media outlet Al-Masirah reported that the strikes occurred late Sunday night and targeted not only the ports but also the Ras Kanatib power station located north of Hudaydah. However, details regarding damage and casualties remained sparse.
The Israeli military stated that approximately 20 fighter jets participated in this operation, emphasizing that it was a direct response to “repeated attacks by the Houthi terrorist regime against the State of Israel, its civilians, and civilian infrastructure, including the launching of UAVs and surface-to-surface missiles toward Israeli territory.” The military also alleged that these ports were being used for weapon transfers from Iran and that the Houthi forces had installed radar systems on the Galaxy Leader to facilitate tracking international maritime traffic and supporting further military endeavors.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning, stating that the Houthis “will continue to pay a heavy price for their actions.” He further emphasized that those who threaten Israel will face dire consequences, comparing the fate of Yemen to that of Tehran.
“The fate of Yemen is the same as the fate of Tehran. Anyone who tries to harm Israel will be harmed, and anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have their hand cut off,” he said.
Recent Houthi retaliatory measures
In a counter-response, Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea declared their air defenses had successfully thwarted what he termed “Zionist aggression.” He stated that the group executed a coordinated military operation utilizing 11 missiles and drones targeting various locations, including Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport and commercial ports. Sarea proclaimed the Houthis are prepared for a sustained confrontation with Israel, declaring their commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause.
The Houthis have maintained control over significant portions of northwestern Yemen since 2014, following their ousting of the internationally recognized government. Since the outbreak of the current conflict between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, the Houthis have escalated their missile launches toward Israel and increasingly targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, claiming their actions are in solidarity with the Palestinian people. So far, they have sunk two vessels, captured a third, and resulted in the deaths of four crew members.
In a separate incident on Sunday, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated bulk carrier named Magic Seas was intercepted by Houthi forces in the Red Sea. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the vessel was attacked while positioned 51 nautical miles south of Hudaydah, with armed security aboard returning fire to repel the assault. Following this, the Magic Seas was targeted again by unmanned sea drones and missiles, resulting in damage and a fire onboard.
Sarea indicated that the Houthis targeted the Magic Seas due to a purported violation of an entry ban into ports in occupied Palestine, further highlighting the ongoing tensions and complexities within the region’s maritime security landscape.