Sanaa (TDI): Israel launched a series of airstrikes early Monday against several sites controlled by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, in what the military described as a targeted operation against ports and infrastructure used to facilitate attacks on Israeli and allied vessels. In response, the Houthis fired missiles at Israel in a rare direct exchange between the two.
The strikes came in the wake of an assault on the Magic Seas, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier that was attacked Sunday in the Red Sea. The vessel reportedly caught fire and began taking on water, ultimately forcing its crew to abandon ship.
Although the Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility, suspicion quickly fell on the group. The attack reportedly involved explosive-laden drone boats, as well as small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. The rebels’ media acknowledged the incident but, as is often the case, did not issue an official statement of responsibility.
A resurgence in Houthi-led assaults on Red Sea shipping lanes risks drawing renewed Western military involvement, especially given US President Donald Trump’s recent re-escalation of airstrikes targeting Houthi positions during his second term.
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The developments come amid heightened regional tensions. A fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is still in limbo, and Iran remains under pressure over its nuclear ambitions following targeted US strikes on its atomic facilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, is in Washington for high-level talks with President Trump.
The Israeli military confirmed that its warplanes struck four sites under Houthi control, the ports of Hodeida, Ras Isa, and Salif, as well as the Ras Kanatib power station, according to AP.
“These ports are used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer weapons from the Iranian regime, which are employed to carry out terrorist operations against the State of Israel and its allies,” the Israeli statement read.
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While Houthi officials confirmed Israeli strikes had occurred, they did not provide a damage report. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a spokesman for the group’s military wing, claimed their air defenses engaged incoming Israeli aircraft, though no evidence was provided.
In retaliation, the Houthis fired at least one missile toward Israeli territory. Israel’s military said it attempted to intercept the projectile but acknowledged it appeared to have made impact. No casualties or major damage were immediately reported.
The incident marks a serious escalation in regional hostilities, as direct military confrontation between Israel and the Houthis remains rare despite the latter’s vocal opposition to Israel during the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
