Israel strikes back Yemen's military targets after Houthi attack
Photo: Israeli military strikes at Houthis in response to a nighttime terrorist rocket attack (Getty Images)
The IDF launched strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen in response to a series of drone attacks and a missile strike on the country earlier that night, according to the Israel Defense Forces and The Times of Israel.
According to the IDF statement, the targets struck by Israeli aircraft on Yemen's western coast and in the country's interior “were used by the Houthi forces for military purposes.”
"The strikes degrade the Houthi terrorist regime, preventing it from exploiting the targets for military and terrorist purposes, including the smuggling of Iranian weapons to the region," the military added.
The Israeli military also stated that “with the direction and funding of Iran,” the Houthis have been collaborating with other militants for the past year to launch attacks on Israel, “undermine regional stability and disrupt global freedom of navigation.”
Strict warning
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued a warning to Houthi leaders following the Israeli airstrikes on Yemen last night.
“Israel’s long hand will reach you as well. Whoever raises a hand against the State of Israel - his hand will be cut off, whoever harms us - will be harmed sevenfold,” he said.
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed that the targets of the "precise strikes" were "ports and energy infrastructure" in the Houthi-controlled capital, Sana’a, which the Houthis had used for "their military actions."
"With their attacks on international shipping vessels and roots in the Red Sea and other places, the Houthis have become a global threat. Who is behind the Houthis? Iran," he said in an English-language video message, promising that the military will " continue to act against anyone - anyone in the Middle East" who threatens Israel.
Houthi attacks on Israel
Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists launched an attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, the Houthi militant group in Yemen, with Iranian support, has regularly targeted Israeli cities with drones and missiles.
Earlier that night, the Houthis launched a missile toward Israel, but the air defense system successfully intercepted it.
Previously, Yemeni rebels had fired missiles at Israel in October, but the attack was unsuccessful.
On September 15, the Houthis launched a missile at central Israel for the first time, but the target was also destroyed by air defense.
