Sana’a (TDI): The Israeli military has launched airstrikes on Yemen’s Red Sea ports of Hodeidah and As-Salif—sites vital to the humanitarian and economic lifelines of a war-torn country already on the brink of collapse.
These attacks, justified by Tel Aviv as a response to alleged Houthi missile launches, are another chapter in Israel’s history of disregarding international norms and the sovereignty of other nations.
The Israeli military said it carried out strikes on “terrorist infrastructure” on Friday, saying on X that the two ports had been used by the Houthi rebel group to “transfer weapons”.
The Houthis have carried out a campaign of attacks against Israel in self-proclaimed solidarity with Palestinians since Israel launched its assault on Gaza in October 2023.
Israel has carried out strikes in response, including one on May 6 that damaged Yemen’s main airport in Sanaa and killed several people.
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According to Houthi-run health authorities, the Israeli airstrikes resulted in at least one death and nine injuries among port workers. Residents in Hodeidah reported hearing multiple explosions and witnessing smoke rising from the port area following the attacks.
Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that these strikes are “just the beginning,” asserting that the Houthis are acting as a proxy for Iran. He warned of intensified military actions if attacks on Israel persist.
The Houthis have declared that their attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which escalated following Hamas’s assault on Israel in October 2023.
In response, Israel has intensified its military operations in Gaza and now in Yemen, aiming to curb the capabilities of groups it considers threats to its national security.
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The international community has expressed concern over the potential for further escalation in the region.
The United Nations has called for restraint and emphasized the importance of protecting civilian infrastructure and lives.
As the situation develops, the risk of broader regional conflict remains, with implications for international shipping routes and geopolitical stability in the Middle East.
Areeba Kanwal is a contributor at The Diplomatic Insight and has passion for International Relations and diplomacy.
