The Israeli military has reported that it conducted airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, successfully deactivating the country’s main airport in the capital, Sana’a. The attack occurred just one day after the Israeli military targeted the port of Hudaydah in retaliation for a Houthi missile attack near Israel’s main airport.
Al-Masirah, the satellite channel affiliated with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, confirmed the strikes, reporting that the airport had been hit, and that several power plants were also damaged.
Television footage from Israel showed thick black smoke rising from the sky above Sana’a, with videos posted on social media seemingly capturing several explosions around the city.
At this point, it is unclear if there were any casualties from the attack.
The strike came shortly after the Israeli military issued a warning on social media, urging people to evacuate the areas surrounding Sana’a International Airport. A statement from Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee read: “We urge people to leave the airport area immediately and warn anyone nearby to do so as well.”
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, described the attack as a warning to the “head of the Iranian octopus,” referring to Iran’s role in supporting the Houthi rebels. Katz emphasized that Iran is directly responsible for the attacks launched by the rebels against Israel.
Tensions between Israel and the Houthi rebels have escalated as the Iran-linked group continues to carry out attacks in retaliation for Israel’s expanded operations in the Gaza Strip.
On Monday, Israel struck Hudaydah port in Yemen, killing four people and injuring 39 others, according to the Houthi-controlled Health Ministry.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retaliation after a Houthi missile landed near Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, prompting several European and American airlines to suspend flights to Tel Aviv for several days.
The Houthi rebels have launched strikes against Israel and ships in the Red Sea since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict, claiming these attacks as acts of solidarity with Palestinians. Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.
