The Israeli military reported that its air force conducted significant airstrikes in Yemen as a response to ongoing drone and missile assaults by the Houthi movement targeting Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that multiple aircraft struck locations of the Houthis’ security and intelligence services, primarily in the capital city of Sanaa.
The Houthi-run health ministry condemned the attacks, labeling them as acts of aggression that resulted in civilian casualties, including eight fatalities. This escalation occurred shortly after a Houthi drone strike on the Israeli Red Sea resort of Eilat that injured 22 individuals.
The Houthis have controlled significant areas of north-western Yemen since they displaced the internationally recognized government a decade ago, leading to a protracted civil conflict. They intensified their attacks on Israel and international maritime routes following the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, claiming to support the Palestinian cause.
Videos from Sanaa showed smoke rising from several sites after the recent airstrikes. Reports indicated that strikes hit residential zones, including the Maain and Sabaeen districts, as well as the Dhahban power station. Concerns were raised regarding the targeting of civilian areas, with health officials alleging deliberate harm to non-combatants and civilian infrastructure. There were claims of 142 individuals injured, including civilians, with ongoing searches for potential additional casualties beneath the rubble.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the airstrike, characterizing it as a strike against significant targets linked to the Houthi military. The IDF indicated that measures would be taken in response to further assaults against Israel.
Additionally, a recent assessment suggested that Israel’s defense systems had failed to intercept all incoming threats, prompting the implementation of corrective strategies. The escalating conflict has drawn international scrutiny, particularly concerning humanitarian impacts and attacks on journalists within Yemen.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8rvmx60g07o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss