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Israeli fighter jets launched a major airstrike operation against two Houthi-controlled ports on Yemen’s western coast on Friday afternoon.
The strikes targeted the strategic Hodeidah and Salif ports, which Israel accuses of being critical hubs for Iranian-backed weapon smuggling to the Houthis, a group engaged in continuous missile and drone attacks against Israel.
The wave of attacks involved fifteen Israeli Air Force (IAF) jets dropping approximately 35 munitions on port infrastructure, significantly damaging facilities critical to Houthi operations.
Refueling tankers and surveillance aircraft also supported the operation, highlighting the scale and precision of the strike.
The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) said the action aims to “deepen the damage to the Houthis’ terror capabilities” and disrupt the transfer of Iranian weapons into Yemen, thereby weakening the group’s ability to strike Israel.
This latest reprisal follows a series of Houthi attacks on Israel, with at least seven missiles and two drones fired since the last Israeli strike on May 6. The Houthis’ most recent missile launch occurred on Thursday night, prompting the swift response.
Israeli officials reportedly delayed the strike until after the visit of former US President Donald Trump to the region, who earlier announced a ceasefire agreement between the US and the Houthis to halt attacks on American vessels, though the Houthis vowed to continue their assaults on Israel.
Defense Minister Israel Katz delivered a stern warning alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who monitored the strikes from the Israeli Air Force’s underground command center.
Katz threatened the elimination of Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi should attacks persist, drawing parallels to Israel’s previous assassinations of militant leaders such as Hamas’s Mohammed Deif, Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah, and Hamas’s Yahya Sinwar.
“These ports are used for the transfer of weapons and are another example of the cynical exploitation of civilian infrastructure by the Houthi terror regime,” the military said, reinforcing the call for all civilians to evacuate the targeted areas immediately.
The strikes are expected to significantly hamper the Houthis’ logistical capabilities, with Israeli military estimates suggesting it could take up to a month for the ports to resume full operations.
Until then, the ports will be unable to accommodate ships longer than 80 meters, severely limiting weapon shipments and economic activity under Houthi control.
The conflict between Israel and the Houthis, who have openly declared hostility towards Israel with slogans such as “Death to America, Death to Israel,” has intensified since late 2023.
Following the October 7 Hamas attack, the Houthis escalated their missile and drone campaigns against Israel and maritime targets in the Red Sea.
Since Israel’s offensive in Gaza resumed on March 18, the Houthis have launched dozens of missiles and drones, causing widespread alarm and prompting thousands of Israelis to seek shelter frequently amid ongoing siren warnings.
As tensions rise, Israel remains resolute in its policy to defend itself by all means against threats from all fronts. The recent strikes in Yemen underscore Israel’s determination to disrupt and dismantle hostile networks beyond its immediate borders, signaling a potentially prolonged confrontation with the Iran-backed Houthi militia.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members