Israel launches strikes on Yemen ports and power plant

The Israeli military confirmed on July 7th it had carried out strikes on three Yemeni ports and a power plant, marking the first Israeli attack on Yemen in nearly a month, according to The New Arab via Reuters.

The military said the strikes targeted the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif, as well as the Ras Qantib power plant, in response to what it described as repeated Houthi attacks on Israel. Just hours later, Yemen allegedly launched two missiles towards Israel.

“Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, two missiles were launched from Yemen. Attempts were made to intercept the missiles and the results of the interception are under review,” the Israeli army said.

Since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, Yemen has carried out several attacks against Israeli targets and shipping in the Red Sea, which Yemeni officials say are acts of solidarity with Palestinians. In retaliation, Israel has conducted a series of strikes on Yemen’s territory. Most of the missiles fired toward Israel have either been intercepted or have fallen short.

Among the latest targets was the Galaxy Leadership, a ship seized by the Houthis at Ras Isa port in late 2023.

“The Houthi terrorist regime’s forces installed a radar system on the ship, and are using it to track vessels in international maritime space, in order to promote the Houthi terrorist regime’s activities,” the Israeli military claimed.

Residents in Hodeidah told Reuters that the Israeli strikes plunged the Red Sea port city into total darkness after disabling its main power station. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The Houthi-led Al-Masirah TV reported that the recent attacks followed an Israeli military evacuation warning for residents living near the three targeted Yemeni ports. Furthermore, the Hodeidah strike came only hours after a nearby ship attack, during which the crew evacuated before the vessel sank. No group claimed responsibility, but security firm Ambrey said the incident matched the typical profile of a Houthi operation.

The Houthis, backed by Iran, have evolved from a mountain-based militia into a powerful force of tens of thousands, equipped with ballistic missiles and armed drones. Their leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, has framed the group as a resistance force opposing global powers. Western governments and Saudi Arabia allege that Iran has supplied the Houthis with weapons, a claim Tehran denies.

The New Arab via Reuters, Al-Masirah TV, Maghrebi.org