In a significant military escalation, Israel conducted its first airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen since the recent ceasefire agreement with Iran.
The strikes occurred around midnight on Sunday, targeting key infrastructure, including ports and a power plant.
The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed the operation, which was launched in response to at least three ballistic missile attacks from Houthi forces, including one that was intercepted on Saturday.
The Israeli strikes hit strategic sites along the Red Sea, specifically the ports of Hodeida, Ras Isa, Salif, and the Ras Kanatib power plant.
Also targeted was the Galaxy Leader, a cargo vessel captured by Houthi fighters in November 2023.
According to a statement from the IDF, “Houthi forces installed a radar system on the ship and have been using it to track vessels in the international maritime arena to facilitate further terrorist activities.”
Ahead of the strikes, IDF Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee issued an evacuation alert, urging civilians to leave the targeted ports and power station.
Defense Minister Israel Katz later announced that the attacks were part of a new military campaign dubbed Operation Black Flag.
He stated on social media, “The Houthis will continue to pay a heavy price for their actions” and warned of further operations if drone and missile attacks against Israel persist.
The Houthi military confirmed the Israeli strikes and claimed its air defenses responded with “a massive barrage of locally manufactured surface-to-air missiles,” adding that “Yemeni air defenses effectively confronted the Israeli aggression.”
There were no immediate reports of casualties following the attacks.
Mohammed Al Farah, a member of the Houthi political bureau, denounced the Israeli offensive on the group’s media outlet, Al-Masirah TV, saying, “Targeting Yemeni ports, power stations, and other civilian facilities is an attempt to harm civilians and has no connection to any military activity.”
This development comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares for a visit to Washington, where he is scheduled to meet with United States President , Donald Trump.
Since the conflict in Gaza erupted in October 2023, Israel has faced attacks from multiple fronts, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, who have stated that their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians.
Backed by Iran, the Houthi movement has also been responsible for numerous assaults on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea.
In March, the United States launched a major offensive in Yemen aimed at diminishing the Houthis’ military capacity.