TEL AVIV/SANAA: Israeli fighter jets launched a series of coordinated airstrikes early Monday on Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen, striking multiple ports and a power plant reportedly used for military purposes. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strikes, which targeted what it described as Iran-linked weapons sites and infrastructure used to support Houthi operations.
The strikes hit strategic locations, including the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa, Al-Salif, and the Ras Qantib power plant, the IDF said. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the military stated:
“IAF jets, guided by intelligence, struck Houthi terror targets at the ports of Al Hudaydah, Ras Isa, Salif, and the Ras Kanatib Power Plant. The IDF will continue to act against threats to Israeli civilians—wherever required.”
According to the IDF, the operation was launched in direct response to a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting Israel. The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have also been accused of endangering international maritime traffic in the Red Sea by attacking commercial shipping vessels.
One high-value target was the “Galaxy Leader,” a merchant vessel reportedly seized by the Houthis in 2023. Israeli officials claimed the ship had since been outfitted with radar and surveillance systems and was being used to monitor international shipping lanes, enabling what they described as “terror operations at sea.”
Another key site struck was the Ras Qantib power plant, which the IDF alleged was being repurposed to support military activities by the Houthis.
The latest escalation underscores rising tensions in the region and reflects Israel’s widening efforts to disrupt Iran-aligned groups it accuses of posing direct threats to its security and to global shipping in one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors.
