Israel Launches Strikes Against Houthi Targets in Yemen
Israel has carried out its first strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen since the recent Israel-Iran ceasefire. The attacks targeted ports and a power plant around midnight local time on Sunday night into Monday morning. These strikes come in response to at least three Houthi ballistic missiles that were launched at Israel, including one that was intercepted on Saturday.
The Iran-backed Houthis also claimed responsibility for an attack on the bulk carrier “Magic Seas” in the Red Sea on Sunday. This marks the first attack on commercial shipping in the region by the rebels this year. The incident highlights the growing tensions between the Houthis and international maritime interests.
Targeted Locations and Strategic Moves
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) struck several key locations along the Red Sea, including the ports of Hodeida, Ras Isa, Salif, and the Ras Kanatib power plant. Additionally, the IDF attacked the Galaxy Leader, a cargo ship that had been seized by the Houthis in November 2023. According to the IDF, the Houthis had installed a radar system on the ship to track vessels in the international maritime arena, facilitating further terrorist activities.
Before the strikes, the IDF’s Arabic language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, issued an evacuation warning for the ports and the power station. This indicates a coordinated effort to minimize civilian casualties and ensure safety in the affected areas.
Operation “Black Flag” and Military Response
Defense Minister Israel Katz described the strikes as part of a newly named operation called “Black Flag.” In a social media statement, Katz emphasized that the Houthis would continue to face consequences for their actions and warned that more attacks would follow if the Houthis continued launching drones and ballistic missiles at Israel.
The Houthi military confirmed the strikes but claimed that Yemeni air defenses effectively confronted the Israeli aggression. They stated that they used a “massive barrage of locally manufactured surface-to-air missiles” in response. However, there are no immediate reports of casualties from the strikes, suggesting that the attacks may have been strategically timed to avoid significant loss of life.
Houthi Claims and Civilian Concerns
Houthi political bureau member Mohammed Al Farah criticized the targeting of Yemeni ports, power stations, and other “civilian facilities,” calling it an attempt to harm civilians and stating that it has no connection to any military activity. This claim underscores the ongoing conflict between the Houthis and the international community, with the rebels often framing their actions as a defense of Palestinian interests.
Since Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza began in October 2023, the country has faced missile and rocket attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Both groups claim to strike Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians. The Houthis have repeatedly targeted shipping in the Red Sea, citing connections to Israel as justification for their attacks.
Recent Attacks and Shipping Concerns
On Sunday, the Houthis attacked the “Magic Seas” ship, claiming that its owner had used Israeli ports. The rebels said they had struck the vessel with unmanned boats, missiles, and drones, and it had now sunk. They have warned that they will target shipping that uses ports in Israel, which they describe as “occupied Palestine.”
The vessel’s operator, Stem Shipping, told Reuters that the “Magic Seas” had made a port call to Israel in the past, but the latest transit of the region appeared low-risk as it had nothing to do with Israel. The 19-member crew of the “Magic Seas” left the boat on Sunday and were being taken by another ship to Djibouti.
Houthi Agreements and Continued Tensions
In May, the Houthi group, which controls much of northern and central Yemen, agreed to halt attacks on US warships in the Red Sea after more than a month of airstrikes by US forces on its strongholds and missile infrastructure. However, the group did not pledge to end attacks on other shipping with alleged connections to Israel and has continued to fire ballistic missiles at Israel in support of the Palestinian population in Gaza.
These developments highlight the complex and volatile situation in the region, where multiple actors are involved in a web of conflicts and alliances. As tensions continue to escalate, the international community remains watchful of the potential for further violence and instability.
