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Israel Conducts Airstrikes on Houthi-Controlled Yemen Following Missile Attack
Israel has launched airstrikes against strategic ports and the capital city of Sana’a in Yemen, as reported by military officials on Thursday. This escalation follows an earlier missile interception by the Israeli Air Force aimed at defending the country from attacks originating from Yemen.
The air operation involved a significant deployment of military resources, with dozens of fighter jets, tanker aircraft, and reconnaissance planes executing strikes over a distance of approximately 1,700 kilometers from Israel. This marked a notable increase in military activity in the region.
Key ports utilized by the Houthi rebels—Israel’s longstanding adversary—suffered extensive damage, crippling their operational capabilities. Notably, this is the first instance where Israel has targeted Sana’a directly, focusing on damaging the city’s energy infrastructure, according to a military spokesperson.
Thursday’s strikes represent Israel’s third round of military action against the Houthis in recent months, following previous air operations carried out in July and September. Reports from the Houthi-affiliated media, al-Masirah, indicate that nine individuals lost their lives in the latest airstrikes, primarily in Hodeidah, a western coastal province.
Among the fatalities reported, seven individuals died in the port of al-Salif, while two others were at the Ras Isa oil facility. Additionally, strikes were confirmed on two power plants located in the capital.
Israeli School Damaged by Missile Fragments
The recent airstrikes came after Israel successfully intercepted a missile launched from Yemen during the night. It’s important to note that the attacks on Yemen were reportedly pre-planned and not a direct reaction to the missile threat.
The Houthis have formally claimed credit for the missile attack, asserting their intention to strike military targets in the vicinity of Jaffa, near Tel Aviv. Israeli media reported that a school adjacent to Tel Aviv suffered significant damage when the missile was intercepted during its flight.
Aligned with Iran—Israel’s main regional adversary—the Houthi militia has maintained a campaign against Israel, which has persisted despite a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Recent figures indicate that over the past year, the Houthis have launched approximately 200 missiles and 170 drones at Israeli targets, with most being intercepted by Israel’s defense systems, as detailed by the Times of Israel.
The militia asserts that their attacks are in solidarity with the Palestinian population in Gaza, where ongoing conflict has erupted following a terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Past incidents have included a drone strike on a residence in Israel, as well as a fatal projectile incident in Tel Aviv earlier in the year.
In retaliation for the Houthi aggression, Israel has previously conducted strikes against their positions in Yemen, causing considerable damage and loss of life, particularly targeted at military and infrastructure sites.
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