Daijiworld Media Network – Yemen
Yemen, Apr 12: In a bold statement on Friday, Yemen's Houthi group claimed responsibility for launching drone attacks targeting two military sites in Tel Aviv, Israel. The operation, which used two drones, was described by Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea as a strategic move in support of the Palestinian cause.
"We affirm that confronting the ongoing American aggression against our country will not prevent us from continuing to fulfill our duty towards Gaza," Sarea stated, signaling the Houthis' commitment to backing Palestine in the ongoing conflict despite the US’s involvement in the region.
Israeli news outlets reported that one of the Yemeni drones was intercepted over Jordanian airspace, before it could reach Israeli territory. The Jordanian army confirmed the incident, stating that the drone had crashed in the Ma'in area near the Dead Sea, with no casualties reported.
The escalation comes amid increased Houthi attacks on Israeli and US targets since Israel resumed heavy airstrikes in Gaza in March. The Houthis previously claimed responsibility for strikes against the US aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and other US warships in the northern Red Sea.
The US Central Command dismissed the Houthi claims as “outlandish” while maintaining that the aircraft carrier strike group continues its 24/7 operations in the region. Meanwhile, reports from Houthi media suggest that US airstrikes on northern Yemen have intensified, with over 30 airstrikes reported since Friday morning, hitting areas in the capital Sanaa, the oil-rich province of Marib, and the western province of Hodeidah.
Locals in Sanaa described the terrifying sounds of missile strikes followed by the roar of fighter jets, with no prior warning systems to alert civilians. “All that we hear is the sound of speeding missiles less than a second before they hit and explode,” said one Sanaa resident.
The Houthis, who control northern Yemen, have called for a cessation of their attacks if Israel halts its military actions in Gaza and allows humanitarian aid to enter the strip. The ongoing conflict continues to fuel tensions across the region, with both sides showing no signs of backing down.