Ahmed Kamel – Israeli warplanes launched a series of intense airstrikes on Yemen’s Red Sea port of Hodeidah late Tuesday, in what Israeli sources described as an effort to disable the strategic site for “several more weeks,” according to Channel 12 News.
The port, located in western Yemen and under the control of the Houthi movement, was reportedly struck by at least 12 separate air raids. The strikes targeted key infrastructure, including three main berths at the port, with the apparent aim of disrupting maritime operations.
Israeli officials, cited anonymously by Hebrew-language media, said the attack was part of a broader campaign to degrade the Houthis’ military capabilities. The port of Hodeidah, a lifeline for Yemen’s commercial imports and humanitarian aid, has increasingly come under scrutiny by Israel, which accuses the Houthis of using the site for military logistics and weapons transfers.
The strikes came shortly after the Israeli military issued a public warning, ordering the evacuation of the port area in advance of the assault. This marked a rare, direct announcement by Israel regarding its military operations in Yemen.
Footage and reports from regional media outlets, including Saudi-owned Al-Hadath TV, confirmed heavy bombardment of port infrastructure. Initial assessments suggest the airstrikes inflicted significant damage, although the full extent is still being evaluated.
Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthis, said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) that the group’s air defenses were “actively engaging Israeli warplanes” during what he described as an “aggression against Yemen.” He did not specify whether any aircraft were downed.
The Israeli government has not officially claimed responsibility for the strikes. However, the pattern aligns with previous attacks carried out in recent months, which Israel has framed as preemptive or retaliatory measures in response to Houthi attacks on Israeli territory and assets.
Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023, the Houthis have declared open hostility toward Israel, launching multiple missile and drone attacks in what they claim is support for Palestinians in Gaza. The Houthis’ declared military campaign, framed as part of a broader “Axis of Resistance,” has drawn them further into regional confrontations.
Israel, for its part, has increasingly expanded its military reach across the region, targeting what it says are Iranian-linked militias and proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, IRGC positions in Syria, and now the Houthis in Yemen.
The Houthis, who control large parts of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and Hodeidah, are not recognized by the international community as the legitimate government. However, they maintain de facto authority over millions and have withstood years of Saudi-led coalition bombardments.
Humanitarian agencies have warned that targeting infrastructure like Hodeidah port could worsen Yemen’s already dire humanitarian crisis. The port is the entry point for over 70% of Yemen’s imports, including food, fuel, and medical supplies.
Despite Israeli claims that the strikes are aimed solely at military infrastructure, Houthi officials contend that the attacks frequently target civilian facilities and constitute a violation of Yemen’s sovereignty. Israel signals its readiness to strike beyond its borders, and the Houthis show no signs of stepping back from their declared campaign against the Israeli state.
