Illustrative image. (Israeli Defense Forces)
The Israeli Navy launched strikes against infrastructure at the Yemen port of al-Hodeida, which is controlled by the Houthis (Ansar Allah), in the first such attack since the start of the crisis in the Red Sea.
In a statement, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said that the strikes were carried out in response to recent Houthi missile and drone attacks on Israel,
Sa’ar 6-class corvettes were involved in the attack, during which two long-range guided missiles were fired at the port from hundreds of kilometers away, according to the military, which didn’t provide any details on the type of the missiles used in the attack.
Israeli military officials said that warships are used for certain strikes instead of the traditional fighter jets or drones, due to their constant availability at sea and because the attacks can be launched more discreetly.
No casualties were reported by Houthi-run media, which also didn’t share any video footage showing the aftermath of the strikes. A photo posted to social networks showed some of the damage, however.
Click to see full-size image. Via Telegram.
This was the fifth Israeli attack to target Yemen since last month, with the Israeli Air Force carrying out all previous four which also targeted civilian infrastructure.
The Houthis hit back quickly, announcing an attack with two ballistic missiles, a hypersonic Palestine-2 and a Zulfiqar, at Ben Gurion Airport in central Israel.
“The Yemeni Armed Forces confirm that the decision to ban air traffic to the aforementioned airport remains in effect, and reiterates its warning to the remaining companies that they must immediately halt all flights to and from the airport,” Houthi spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a statement.
“In response to the aggression on al-Hodeidah, the Yemeni Armed Forces warn all companies and various entities against continuing to deal with the port of Haifa, which has become a target,” he added.
The IDF said that one ballistic missile launched by the Houthis from Yemen was intercepted by air defenses. Sirens had sounded across central Israel, the Jerusalem area, southern West Bank settlements, and some areas in southern Israel amid the attack, but no casualties or losses were reported.
The missile broke up into multiple parts after being hit by an interceptor, leading the Israeli Air Force to launch additional interceptors to shoot down the fragments, according to the military, which noted that at least seven interceptors were seen launched.
Since March 18, when the IDF resumed its offensive against Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis have launched 48 ballistic missiles and at least 11 suicide drones at Israel. While the vast majority of the projectiles were intercepted or fell short, the attacks still created a sense of instability in Israel, causing many airlines to suspend flights all together to the country. Shipping towards Israel via the Red Sea also remains on halt.
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