In a major escalation of hostilities in the Red Sea region, Israel confirmed on Monday that its forces carried out precision airstrikes on Hodeida port in Yemen, targeting infrastructure controlled by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. A senior Houthi security official confirmed to AFP that the bombing destroyed a key dock, which had recently been rebuilt after earlier attacks.
‘Yemen’s Fate Will Be the Same as Tehran’s’: Israeli Defence Minister
The Israeli Defence Ministry stated that the strikes were aimed at dismantling what it called “terror targets” used by the Houthi group at the strategic port. “The Israel Defense Forces forcefully enforced the prevention of any attempt to restore the previously attacked terror infrastructure,” said Defence Minister Israel Katz.
He issued a sharp warning: “Yemen’s fate will be the same as Tehran’s,” alluding to Israel’s recent 12-day military confrontation with Iran that resulted in heavy bombardment of Iran’s military and nuclear installations.
Houthi Media Confirms ‘Series of Israeli Airstrikes’
According to Al-Masirah TV, the Houthis’ official broadcaster, a “series of Israeli air strikes” targeted the Hodeida port, a key logistical hub for the rebels on the Red Sea coast.
The Israeli military later released a statement listing the assets hit in the operation, including “engineering vehicles, naval vessels used in hostile activities, fuel containers, and additional terror infrastructure.” It accused the Houthis of using the port to smuggle weapons from Iran intended for use against Israeli interests.
Red Sea Tensions Escalate Again
Targeting vessels connected to Israel, the Houthis have recently renewed their drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Houthi demands for a halt to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which started in October 2023, coincide with these new maritime threats.
Monday’s airstrike is the latest in a series of Israeli raids targeting Houthi-controlled regions, underscoring the regional implications of the Gaza conflict and the widening shadow war between Israel and Iranian proxy forces across the Middle East.
