Janice R. Andrews
The Israeli military declared early on Sunday that it had stopped a missile fired from Yemen. Shortly after Israeli airstrikes on Houthi strongholds in the Arabian Peninsula, this incident transpired. During its nine-month war with Hamas, Israel’s airstrikes were the first meaningful reaction to persistent Houthi attacks.
Israel Launches Strikes Into Yemen
Targeted by the Israeli attacks late on Saturday night were the port city of Hodeidah in western Yemen, which is a renowned Houthi stronghold and vital supply route. Numerous aircraft, including F-15 and F-35 airplanes built in the United States, were involved in the operation, according to confirmation from the Israeli military. The recent Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv, which claimed one life, prompted these strikes in retribution.
According to the Yemeni Health Ministry, the strikes resulted in 83 injuries and six fatalities, many of whom had serious burns from a large fire. The government also said that three people were unaccounted for. Mohammed Abdulsalam, a spokesman for the Houthis, denounced the Israeli activities and called them “blatant Israeli aggression” that was directed at the province’s power plant and fuel storage facilities. Abdul-Malek al-Houthi, the leader of the rebels, claimed that Israel was purposefully harming Yemen’s economy.
Interception of missiles
The missile was launched from Yemen, but the Israeli military successfully intercepted it before it reached Israeli territory. This intercept is a component of a larger operation to eliminate Houthi drones and missiles that includes Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Western partners. The interception attempts haven’t been perfect, though. A Houthi drone was able to breach Israel’s air defenses early on Friday and crash into Tel Aviv.
An Israeli air force officer blamed human error for the misclassification of the drone as non-threat as it was following other drones coming from Yemen. The bombing on Hodeidah, which is over 1,700 kilometers from Israel, was deemed by the military to be one of its most intricate and far-reaching operations. According to reports, the targeted area is where the Houthis acquire their arms from Iran.
Regional Conflict’s Escalation
Yoav Gallant, Israel’s minister of defense, promised to carry out more of these strikes as needed. With support from Iran, the Houthis have escalated their assaults on Israel in support of Hamas, following the latter’s October 7 attack that sparked the current Israeli war in Gaza. Concerns about a possible wider battle are raised by Israel’s regular skirmishes in Lebanon with Hezbollah terrorists in addition to Hamas.
Since it began in 2014, Yemen’s civil war has evolved into a proxy conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Almost 150,000 people have died as a result of the conflict, including civilians, and it has led to one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes in history.
Mohamed Ali al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthis, promised “impactful strikes” and issued a warning, saying that Israel’s attacks will only make Yemen more determined to assist Gaza. He underlined that Yemen’s military, leadership, and missile forces would continue to target Israeli interests in spite of these efforts.
Tensions in the Sea
Along with intercepting missiles, Houthi fighters on Sunday targeted a container ship flying the flag of Liberia as it traveled through the Red Sea. According to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, Houthi small boat strikes, an aerial vehicle, and missile fire caused “minor damage” to the ship Pumba. Every crew member was said to be safe.
The Houthis have been attacking ships since they began, stating that this is their way of paying back Israel for what it did in Gaza. Many of the targeted ships, though, are not directly related to Israel.
Worldwide Responses
Since January, in response to attacks on commercial shipping, the United States and the United Kingdom have also been participating in bombing Houthi targets in Yemen. Iran disputes the accusations made by analysts and Western intelligence that it is arming the Houthis. The Houthis, who possess a variety of long-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and “suicide drones,” seem unfazed by joint force airstrikes.
The region’s status is still unstable and there is a chance for more war involving several different countries and factions as tensions rise. In an effort to stop a larger regional conflict, the world community is nevertheless keeping a careful eye on things.
