Daijiworld Media Network – Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv, May 17: Israel launched a fresh wave of airstrikes on Yemen’s Red Sea ports of Hodeidah and Salif on Friday, intensifying its efforts to dismantle Houthi military infrastructure. This marks the eighth such strike as the conflict between the two sides escalates.
Over 30 munitions were dropped by Israeli forces targeting facilities believed to be used by the Houthis to transfer weapons. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said the strikes followed multiple warnings to local residents, urging evacuation to avoid civilian casualties.
Smoke was seen rising over the port of Hodeidah following four powerful explosions. The Houthi-run health ministry reported one death and nine injuries in the strikes.
The IDF stated on X, “The IDF struck and dismantled terrorist infrastructure sites belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime in the Hudaydah and Salif Ports in Yemen. These ports are used to transfer weapons and are a further example of the Houthis’ systematic and cynical exploitation of civilian infrastructure to advance terrorist activities.”
Israel’s leadership has issued a stern warning to the Houthis, saying that their top leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi could be targeted if missile attacks on Israel continue. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement, “If the Houthis continue to fire missiles at the State of Israel, they will be severely harmed, and we will also hurt the leaders.”
The Houthis, aligned with Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” have been firing missiles toward Israel in a show of support for Palestinians in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war broke out in October 2023. While they have reportedly ceased attacks on US ships, their threats to Israel have drawn repeated retaliatory responses.
Houthi official Mohammed Ali al-Houthi dismissed Israel’s warnings as “illusions,” calling them a cover for failure and unattainable goals.
The Houthis control nearly 60% of Yemen’s population and have carried out dozens of missile and drone strikes on Israel, most of which have been intercepted or failed to reach their targets.