Israeli Military Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen After Missile Attack Near Airport

The Israeli military conducted airstrikes against Yemen’s Hodeidah Port on Monday in response to a missile attack by the Iran-aligned Houthis that struck near Israel’s main airport. The military targeted what it called Houthi terrorist sites in Hodeidah and its vicinity.

According to the Houthi-run Saba news agency, the strikes resulted in at least one fatality and 35 injuries. The Houthis closed off the area around the port and a cement factory following the attacks, causing significant damage to the containers’ berth.

Reports indicate that approximately 70% of the port’s infrastructure, including docks, warehouses, and customs areas, sustained damage. The strikes occurred as ships were unloading cargo, leading to a complete halt in port operations.

Hodeidah Port is the second-largest in the Red Sea and serves as a crucial entry point for about 80% of Yemen’s food imports. Multiple strikes targeted the port, as well as the Al Salakhanah and Al Hawak neighborhoods in Hodeidah, and a cement factory east of the city.

The Israeli military justified the airstrikes as a response to previous Houthi attacks on Israel, including missile launches. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retaliation for the missile attack near the airport, which marked the first successful strike to bypass Israel’s air defenses in recent months.

A Houthi official warned of further consequences for Israel, signaling escalating tensions between the two parties. The Houthis resumed attacks on Israel and shipping lanes following a temporary ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza.

While the United States was not directly involved in Monday’s strikes, there is coordination between the U.S. and Israel. The conflict in Yemen has drawn international attention, with concerns about the humanitarian impact of ongoing military actions.

In response to the airstrikes, an oil company operated by the Houthis implemented an emergency fuel supply system due to disruptions at the Ras Isa oil port. The company attributed the challenges to U.S. strikes in the region.

President Donald Trump previously ordered significant military action against the Houthis, resulting in casualties in Yemen. Israel has also conducted operations in the country, with recent approval for potential actions in the Gaza Strip.

The conflict between Israel, the Houthis, and other regional actors underscores the complex dynamics in the Middle East. The situation in Yemen remains volatile, with implications for regional stability and global security.

(Reuters – Reporting by Jaidaa Taha, Menna Alaa El Din, and Mohammed Ghobari, additional reporting by Idrees Ali and Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Peter Graff, Sharon Singleton, and Michael Perry)