The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes on military targets belonging to the Houthi group in Sanaa and al-Jawf, Yemen, on Sunday. The IDF stated the strikes were in retaliation for ongoing Houthi attacks, including drone and surface-to-air missile launches into Israeli territory.
Targeted locations included military bases used by the Houthi for intelligence gathering, attack planning, and execution against Israel, as well as the group's public relations headquarters and a fuel depot.
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Fire in Sanaa, Yemen, following Israeli airstrikes. Photo: AP |
Fire in Sanaa, Yemen, following Israeli airstrikes. Photo: AP
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree accused Israel of targeting civilian locations, including the offices of two newspapers in Sanaa, resulting in the deaths and injuries of journalists and passersby.
Anees Alasbahi, a spokesperson for the Houthi-controlled health authority, reported at least 35 fatalities and 131 injuries from the Israeli strikes. Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah TV reported the al-Jawf strike hit a central bank branch in Al-Hazm, injuring employees.
The Houthi forces claim to have activated air defenses in response, but provided no further details.
This incident follows a drone attack launched from Yemen that struck Ramon Airport in southern Israel on Thursday, injuring one person. The IDF also announced it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen on Sunday.
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Location of Israel and Yemen. Graphic: Amwaj |
Location of Israel and Yemen. Graphic: Amwaj
Following the outbreak of conflict in the Gaza Strip in 10/2023, Houthi forces have frequently launched missiles and drones into Israeli territory in solidarity with Hamas.
Israel has responded with numerous retaliatory strikes, primarily targeting Yemeni infrastructure, including ports, power plants, and the international airport in Sanaa. An August 28 attack on the Yemeni capital killed 12 senior Houthi political officials, including Ahmed Ghaleb Nasser al-Rahawi, the head of the Houthi administration in Sanaa.
Pham Giang (AFP, Reuters)
