In a significant escalation, Israel launched airstrikes on Yemen for the first time in nearly a month, targeting three key ports and a coastal power station. According to the Israeli military, the early Monday morning attack hit the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif, along with the Ras Qantib power plant.
These targets, the military said, were chosen in retaliation for repeated Houthi attacks on Israel. Israeli officials warned port residents to evacuate before launching the strikes. Residents in Hodeidah reported power outages following the bombing of the electricity station, though casualty details remain unclear.
The strike also included a hit on the Galaxy Leader, a ship that the Houthis had seized in late 2023. Israeli officials claimed the group had installed a radar system on the ship to monitor international maritime movements. “They were using it to aid terrorist activity in the Red Sea,” Israel’s military statement said.
Houthis Respond with Missile and Drone Assault on Israel
Hours after the Israeli airstrike, Yemen’s Houthi forces retaliated by launching missiles and drones toward Israel. The group confirmed they had struck “multiple Israeli targets” in response to what they labeled as “Zionist aggression.”
Israel confirmed that two missiles were launched from Yemen. Its military attempted to intercept the projectiles, though the final assessment of the interception efforts is still under review. Israel’s ambulance service reported no casualties or damage from the attack.
The Houthi military spokesperson stated their air defenses had activated a “large number of domestically produced surface-to-air missiles” to defend against Israeli aircraft. Videos shared by Houthi media appeared to show the launch of missiles and drones aimed at Israel and Israeli-linked maritime targets.
Red Sea Trade at Risk Again as Tensions Reignite
This latest tit-for-tat between Israel and the Houthis once again raises serious concerns for maritime security in the Red Sea. The Houthis have repeatedly attacked commercial vessels in the region since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023, claiming solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
The renewed Israeli strikes come just hours after an unidentified vessel off the coast of Hodeidah was attacked and later abandoned by its crew due to flooding. Though no group claimed responsibility, maritime security company Ambrey said the ship fit the usual profile of previous Houthi targets.
Trade routes through the Red Sea have become increasingly volatile, with major shipping companies rerouting vessels and raising freight costs globally. The Houthis’ use of hijacked ships for surveillance and attacks has amplified concerns among international maritime authorities.
Houthis Emerge as Last Active Iranian Ally in the Region
As the Gaza war continues and Israel intensifies its regional operations, the Houthis remain one of the few operational Iranian-aligned militias. Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza have both suffered severe losses in recent Israeli offensives. Iran itself faced direct strikes last month during a 12-day air campaign.
The Houthi movement, led by Abdul Malik al-Houthi, has transformed from a local rebel group into a well-armed force with ballistic missile and drone capabilities. While the group claims its weapons are domestically made, Saudi Arabia and the West accuse Iran of supplying advanced arms—a claim Tehran consistently denies.
With the Houthis still holding power in northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, the conflict shows no signs of de-escalation. Analysts warn that as long as the Israel-Gaza war continues, the Houthis are likely to step up both symbolic and strategic attacks in the region.
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