Israeli Strike on Yemen Kills Eight, Targets Houthi Security and Military Assets

Israel’s military has stated that it carried out its most substantial strike to date in Yemen, directly targeting the Houthi movement’s security and intelligence services, as well as military installations in the capital city of Sanaa. The operation involved numerous aircraft and was reportedly a response to the Houthis’ persistent drone and missile attacks aimed at Israel. The Houthi-run government’s health ministry condemned the action as a “brutal crime,” asserting that civilian infrastructure and residential buildings were struck, leading to eight fatalities and 142 injuries. This latest escalation follows a Houthi drone attack on the Israeli city of Eilat the previous day, which injured 22 people. The Houthis, who have controlled significant parts of Yemen for a decade, initiated attacks on Israel and shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in response to the conflict in Gaza, aiming to show solidarity with the Palestinians. Israel has conducted retaliatory strikes in Yemen in response to these actions. Videos from Sanaa showed extensive smoke plumes following the strikes, which occurred shortly before a scheduled speech by Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi. The IDF indicated that such operations would continue against the Houthi regime, citing its ongoing attacks on Israel.