Israel Launches Wave of Strikes on Yemen’s Hodeida Port and Huthi Targets
The Israeli army confirmed in a statement that its forces "struck and destroyed terror infrastructure belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime," specifically naming the ports of Hodeida, Ras Isa, and Salif.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Israel launched a series of airstrikes early Monday targeting Yemen’s strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeida and other Houthi-controlled sites, in what it called a response to continued missile attacks by the Iran-backed rebel group, according to AFP.
The Israeli army confirmed in a statement that its forces "struck and destroyed terror infrastructure belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime," specifically naming the ports of Hodeida, Ras Isa, and Salif. The military said the operation followed "repeated attacks by the Houthi terrorist regime against the State of Israel."
Shortly after the strikes, two missiles were reportedly launched from Yemen towards Israel, the Israeli army said via Telegram, noting that its air defense systems were actively working to intercept the incoming projectiles.
The Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah television channel confirmed the strikes, reporting Israeli attacks on Hodeida port, Ras Isa, Salif, and the Ras Al-Kathib power station. These developments followed an Israeli army spokesperson’s online warning that retaliatory strikes on these locations were imminent.
Israel has previously targeted multiple Houthi sites in Yemen, including airports and ports, in response to long-range missile and drone attacks launched by the group since the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023. The Houthis, aligned with Iran, have justified their operations as acts of solidarity with Palestinians.
Among the strategic sites previously hit by Israel is the Galaxy Leader, a cargo ship seized by the Houthis in November 2023. Israeli officials claim the vessel was later equipped with radar systems to monitor Red Sea maritime traffic.
Since November, the Houthis have also targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, accusing them of ties to Israel. In January, the group expanded its campaign to strike vessels linked to the United States and the United Kingdom, following U.S.-led military efforts to secure the region’s waterways.
Although a ceasefire was agreed between the Houthis and the United States in May 2024, the group has vowed to continue attacks on Israeli-linked maritime assets, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause.
