Alina
Israel Intercepts Missile Fired from Yemen
The Israeli military successfully intercepted a missile fired from Yemen early Sunday, following Israeli airstrikes on multiple Houthi targets in Yemen. The airstrikes, a response to a deadly Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv, marked the first time Israel has retaliated against Houthi attacks in its ongoing nine-month conflict with Hamas. This escalation threatens to open a new front as Israel faces Iranian proxies across the region.
The Israeli airstrikes targeted the port city of Hodeidah, a key Houthi stronghold. These strikes, executed by U.S.-made F-15 and F-35 warplanes, were in response to hundreds of Houthi attacks. Israel, along with its Western allies, has managed to intercept most Houthi missiles and drones. However, a Houthi drone recently breached Israeli defenses, crashing in Tel Aviv and causing one fatality.
The Israeli military described Saturday’s operation, approximately 1,700 kilometers from Israel, as one of its most complex and long-range missions. The strikes aimed to disrupt the flow of Iranian arms to Yemen. The Ministry of Health in Sanaa reported 80 injuries, primarily severe burns, as a result of the strikes in Hodeidah, which sparked a massive fire at the port.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, emphasized the significance of the strikes, stating, “The fire that is burning now in Hodeidah is seen across the Middle East, and the significance is clear.” He vowed to continue similar operations as needed.
The Houthis, supported by Iran, have attacked Israel in solidarity with Hamas since the Palestinian militant group’s attack on October 7, triggering the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza. Israel is also engaged in daily clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
Hodeidah port serves as a crucial entry point for supplies into Yemen, which has been embroiled in civil war since 2014. The conflict, involving a Saudi-led coalition supporting the internationally recognized government, has become a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, resulting in over 150,000 deaths and a severe humanitarian crisis.
Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam condemned the Israeli strikes, claiming they targeted fuel storage facilities and the province’s power station, aiming to exacerbate Yemeni suffering and pressure Yemen to cease support for Gaza. In response, he vowed that Yemen’s determination to support Gaza would only strengthen, predicting further impactful strikes.
The missile fired from Yemen on Sunday was intercepted before reaching Israeli territory. Since January, U.S. and U.K. forces have been targeting Houthi positions in Yemen in response to attacks on commercial shipping, which the Houthis justify as retaliation for Israeli actions in Gaza.
On Sunday, Houthi forces targeted a Liberia-flagged container vessel in the Red Sea, the latest in a series of assaults on vital maritime trade routes. Despite minor damage to the ship, all crew members remained safe. The U.S. Central Command also reported destroying a Houthi aerial vehicle over the Red Sea.
While Iran denies arming the Houthis, Western intelligence services continue to accuse Tehran of providing military support. The Houthis possess a formidable arsenal, including long-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and “suicide drones,” capable of reaching southern Israel.
Israel, along with its allies, remains vigilant in monitoring and responding to the evolving threat landscape. The situation continues to escalate, raising international concerns about the potential for a broader conflict involving multiple regional actors
It said its Arrow 3 missile defence system had shot down the projectile before it crossed into Israeli territory. Before the interception, air raid sirens had sounded in the Red Sea port city of Eilat in southern Israel, sending residents running for shelters.
It said its Arrow 3 missile defence system had shot down the projectile before it crossed into Israeli territory. Before the interception, air raid sirens had sounded in the Red Sea port city of Eilat in southern Israel, sending residents running for shelters.
