Yemen’s Houthi group launched a wave of missiles and drones targeting Israeli infrastructure early Monday morning, hours after Israeli air and naval forces struck three ports and a power station in Yemen’s Houthi-controlled Red Sea region.
According to a statement aired by Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, the group claimed to have fired 11 missiles and drones in total. Hypersonic ballistic missiles were reportedly directed at Ben Gurion Airport, Ashdod Port, and a power station in Ashkelon, while eight drones were aimed at Eilat Port. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the missiles and drones successfully reached their targets, asserting that Israeli interceptor systems failed to stop the incoming attacks. He added that the group remained prepared for a “sustained and prolonged confrontation,” reiterating that operations against Israel would continue until the war on Gaza ends and the blockade is lifted.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), confirming a missile launch, said that sirens were activated in Jerusalem, the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea region, and parts of the occupied West Bank. No injuries were reported, and Israeli emergency services said attempts to intercept the missiles were underway, with results still under evaluation.
The missile barrage followed Israeli strikes on key sites in Yemen late Sunday night. The IDF confirmed targeting Houthi-controlled infrastructure, including the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and As Salif, as well as the Ras Qantib power station. The operation also included a strike on the Galaxy Leader vessel, which the Houthis had seized in November 2023. Israel accused the group of using the ship to install radar systems for monitoring Red Sea traffic. It claimed the targeted ports were being used to smuggle Iranian-made missiles and drones.
Iran and the Houthi movement have denied these allegations. Tehran condemned the Israeli strikes, with Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei calling them “flagrant crimes” against Yemen’s economic infrastructure and its people.
According to the IDF, approximately 20 Israeli fighter jets took part in the operation, deploying more than 50 missiles and bombs on the identified targets.
Tensions have escalated between Israel and the Houthi forces in recent months, with the Houthis launching drone and missile attacks on Israeli cities and commercial vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023. The group has positioned its actions as support for the Palestinian population in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict.
–Input IANS
