SANAA: Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s capital Sanaa and the port city of Hodeidah have killed at least nine people, according to Houthi-controlled media.
These attacks mark a sharp escalation in the region amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, saying they targeted “military assets” belonging to the Houthis, including ports and energy infrastructure. Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said the airstrikes were a response to a missile fired toward Israel by the Houthis, which was intercepted before causing damage. “The attacked targets are used by Houthi forces for their military operations,” Hagari said.
Houthi-operated Al Masirah TV reported that seven casualties occurred at As-Salif port in Hodeidah, while other deaths were linked to strikes on the Ras Isa oil facility. Power plants south and north of Sanaa were also reportedly hit in the Israeli attacks, as well as other sites in Hodeidah, causing casualties among oil facility employees, according to Yemeni news agency SABA.
Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi politburo, condemned the strikes, accusing Israel and the United States of hypocrisy. “The US-Israeli bombing of civilian facilities in Yemen, such as power plants and ports, reveals the truth about the West’s hypocrisy and refutes all its humanitarian claims,” he said.
Al-Bukhaiti reaffirmed the Houthis’ commitment to supporting Gaza, vowing to retaliate. “We will face escalation after escalation until the genocide in Gaza stops and humanitarian aid is allowed to reach its people,” he said on social media.
Pro-Houthi commentator Hussain al-Bukhaiti described the airstrikes as Israel’s retaliation for Yemen’s recent actions, which include attacks on Israeli targets and ships assisting Tel Aviv. He noted that the Houthis have consistently launched strikes to express solidarity with the Palestinians, framing their actions as part of a broader campaign against the Israeli occupation of Gaza.
The Houthis reiterated their demand for an end to the Israeli war on Gaza, the lifting of the blockade and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory. They say their ongoing strikes are aimed at putting pressure on Israel economically and militarily.
The attacks on Yemen come as the region remains unstable, with Israel also intensifying its military campaigns in Lebanon and Syria. Since October 7, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 3,000 people, while more than 260 deaths have been reported in Syria as a result of Israeli attacks.
The Houthis insist their actions will continue until what they describe as the “genocide in Gaza” is ended and essential aid is allowed to reach the Palestinians.
