The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen’s Al Hudaydah Port on Saturday. This action came as a response to a drone attack claimed by the Yemeni rebels that killed a civilian in Tel Aviv the previous day. The IDF confirmed the airstrikes on X, stating that they targeted military installations of the Houthi terrorist regime. They cited the hundreds of attacks carried out against Israel in recent months as justification for the strikes.
Houthi-controlled media, Al-Masirah TV, reported that the airstrikes hit storage facilities for oil and diesel at the port, as well as the local electricity company, causing deaths and injuries. Health officials in Yemen corroborated this information, stating that the strikes resulted in fatalities and injuries but refrained from providing specifics. Social media videos showcased the port engulfed in flames following the Israeli airstrikes.
The drone attack in Tel Aviv, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, was claimed by the Yemen-based Houthi militia. The attack, which appeared to originate from the sea and did not trigger air raid sirens, resulted in the death of one man and injuries to four others, according to the Israeli military and emergency services. The incident came hours after the Israeli military confirmed the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon.
Since January, the US and British forces have been conducting strikes in Yemen, targeting facilities linked to the Houthis. These strikes are a response to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping, which the rebels have characterized as retaliation for Israel’s actions in the Gaza war. However, it is important to note that many of the targeted ships are not associated with Israel.
