Israeli airstrikes target Yemen's Hodeidah port amid escalating regional conflict
- In Reports
- 11:30 AM, Sep 30, 2024
- Myind Staff
In a significant escalation, Israeli forces launched a series of airstrikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah and Ras Isa ports on Sunday, targeting military installations linked to the Houthi rebels. The strikes, part of Israel's broader military campaign across West Asia, were described as retaliation for recent missile attacks on Israel, including a ballistic missile targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plane as it landed in Tel Aviv on September 28.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stated that dozens of Air Force jets, refuelers, and reconnaissance aircraft participated in the operation, hitting power plants and port facilities. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least four people — a port worker and three electrical engineers — according to Houthi-affiliated media. Additionally, 33 others were reported injured, with rescue operations underway to recover potential victims from the rubble.
This airstrike marks the second time Israel has struck Yemen, following an earlier attack in July after a drone hit Tel Aviv, killing a civilian. The Houthis, an armed political and religious group from Yemen’s Shia Muslim minority, have a history of hostility toward Israel. They are backed by Iran and have been engaged in military operations against Israeli targets, particularly since the conflict with Hamas escalated in October 2023.
Houthi spokesperson Nasruddin Amer responded to the strikes by stating that oil depots in the affected ports had been emptied ahead of the attacks. He emphasised that these strikes would not deter the Houthis from continuing their missile attacks on Israel, reiterating that they are "at war with the Zionist enemy." The Houthis have been actively supporting Hamas, launching missile and drone attacks against Israel, and they claim to see Israel as a primary adversary.
The strikes on Hodeidah port, which is critical for Yemen's humanitarian aid supplies, have raised concerns about the worsening conditions in the war-torn country. The port is a major entry point for humanitarian aid, and disruptions could have severe consequences for Yemen's already struggling population. Human Rights Watch’s researcher, Niku Jafarnia, warned that attacking these ports could be disastrous for Yemen, as they play a key role in delivering much-needed supplies to the civilian population.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the strikes, accusing Israel of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a power plant and fuel tanks. Iran’s support for the Houthis is well-documented, with experts noting that Tehran has provided advanced weaponry and training, primarily through Hezbollah operatives, thus transforming the Houthis into a formidable military force.
The Houthis have ramped up their attacks on Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea, initially targeting only Israeli ships before expanding their operations to include any vessels bound for Israel or with minimal connections to the country. Their attacks on maritime shipping routes have caused many shipping companies to reconsider their operations in the region, resulting in significant economic losses.
While the Houthis have yet to fully respond to Israel’s latest strikes, analysts suggest that the ongoing conflict in the region could spiral into a broader, multi-front war with serious consequences for West Asia and beyond. The conflict continues to evolve, with mounting fears that Israel's strikes, combined with Houthi retaliation, could plunge the region into further chaos. As tensions rise, the risk of a larger, multi-dimensional regional war seems increasingly likely, with devastating effects not only on West Asia but also globally.
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