Eventually this will escalate into direct strikes against Iran since their Houthi rebels are doing everything they say. It is only a matter of time.
Israel announced on Sunday that it carried out a retaliatory airstrike on Yemen’s port of Hodeidah to prevent Iran from supplying weapons to the Houthi militia. The Saturday evening raid resulted in massive fires at oil and gas storage tanks, and also targeted an electrical station and cargo cranes. Israeli officials stated that the port serves as a critical entry point for Iranian-supplied weapons used by the Houthis to attack Israel and other regional states.
The strike followed a drone attack on Tel Aviv by the Houthis on Friday morning, which killed one man. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu termed the operation in Yemen as a “direct response” to the drone strike.
Israel says airstrike in Yemen will block weapons to Houthi militia. pic.twitter.com/IPi0jJtPG6
— Network Axis Group (@NetAxisGroup) July 21, 2024
Images from Yemen’s Huthi Ansarullah Media Center showed huge fires following the Israeli airstrike. Yemen’s Health Ministry reported three deaths and over 80 injuries, many with severe burns. The Houthis labeled the Israeli attack as targeting civilian facilities and vowed increased support for Palestinians.
In a follow-up, the Houthis fired a missile at southern Israel on Sunday morning, which was intercepted by Israeli air defenses. The Israeli military described the operation as one of its longest, with planes traveling over 1,000 miles using American-made F-15 and F-35 fighter jets.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant discussed the raid, with the Pentagon reaffirming the U.S.’s commitment to Israel’s security. A National Security Council official indicated ongoing contact with Israel but no direct U.S. involvement in the operation.
Israel Says Airstrike In Yemen Will Block Weapons To Houthi Militia: Israel said Sunday it carried out a retaliatory airstrike on a key port in Yemen in an attempt to prevent the ongoing delivery of weapons to the Houthi militia by Iran. The Israeli… https://t.co/h4Fewm2VS6 pic.twitter.com/oJSAXTQnG1
— Independent Nigeria (@IndependentNGR) July 21, 2024
Israel claims the Houthis have launched more than 200 missiles and drones at Israel recently, with air defenses and U.S. naval forces intercepting most before they reached Israeli air space. The Houthis have also targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians, with the U.S. Navy and allied forces defending the crucial shipping lanes.
Key Points:
- Israel conducted an airstrike on Yemen’s port of Hodeidah to prevent Iran from supplying weapons to the Houthi militia.
- The airstrike followed a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv, killing one person, prompting Israel’s “direct response.”
- The strike caused massive fires at oil and gas storage tanks and targeted other port facilities, resulting in three deaths and over 80 injuries.
- The Houthis retaliated by firing a missile at southern Israel, which was intercepted by Israeli air defenses.
- The U.S. reaffirmed its support for Israel’s security, with ongoing communication but no direct involvement in the Yemen operation.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
