The Israeli military claimed responsibility for a series of airstrikes in Yemen on Thursday, targeting Sanaa international airport and other targets in the Houthi-controlled capital.
The Israel Defense Forces said the strikes targeted military infrastructure used by the Houthis to carry out terrorist acts.
“The Houthi terrorist regime has repeatedly attacked the State of Israel and its civilians, including through UAV and surface-to-surface missile attacks on Israeli territory,” the IDF said in a statement.
“The targets struck by the IDF included military infrastructure used by the Houthi terrorist regime for its military activities, including Sana’a International Airport and the Hezias and Ras Qanatib power stations in both. In addition, the IDF struck Al Attacked military infrastructure -Hudaydah, Salif and Ras Qanatib ports on the west coast.
Projectile from Yemen hits near Tel Aviv, wounding more than a dozen: officials
Black smoke rises near Sanaa International Airport in Yemen after reports of an Israeli air strike. (Reuters)
The attacks come days after Israel’s defense minister promised retaliation against Houthi leaders for missile attacks on Israel from Yemen.
Houthi rebels, who control much of northern Yemen, have fired on Israel for more than a year to support Hamas militants in their war with the Jewish state. The Houthis have attempted to enforce sanctions on Israel by launching missiles and drones at cargo ships transiting the Red Sea – a key shipping lane for international trade.
US Navy ships repulse Houthi attack in the Gulf of Aden
This photo released by the European Union’s Operation Espides naval force shows the oil tanker Sounion burning in the Red Sea after a series of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (EU’s Operation Aspides via AP)
Overall, the Houthis have launched more than 200 missiles and 170 drones at Israel since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 massacre of 1,200 people. Since then, the Houthis have also attacked more than six dozen commercial ships – particularly in Bab-el-Mandeb, Egypt’s southern maritime entrance to the Suez Canal.
A projectile launched from Yemen into Israel hit Tel Aviv on Saturday and caused minor injuries to 16 people, Israeli officials said. This incident was a rare occasion where Israeli defense systems failed to stop an attack.
Netanyahu warned the Houthis amid calls for Israel to eliminate the terrorist leadership, as was the case with Nasrallah, Sinwar.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz looks on amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas in Jerusalem on November 7, 2024. (Reuters/Ronen Zvulun)
Israel retaliated by attacking several targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, including power plants in Sanaa.
Israeli leaders have vowed to eliminate the Houthi leadership if missile and drone attacks do not stop.
On Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said, “We will attack their strategic infrastructure and decapitate their leaders. Just like we did.” [former Hamas chief Ismail] In Haniyeh, Sinwar and Nasrallah, in Tehran, Gaza and Lebanon – we will do it in Hodeidah and Sanaa.”
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also urged Israelis to have “patience” and suggested the military would soon intensify its campaign against the Houthis.
“We will take forceful, determined and sophisticated action. Even if it takes time, the result will be the same,” he said. “Just as we have taken forceful action against the terrorist weapons of Iran’s axis of evil, we will take similar action against the Houthis.”
Fox News Digital’s Emily Botbol contributed to this report.
