The Israeli Air Force conducted a series of strikes on military targets in Yemen on Thursday morning, reportedly killing nine people. The strikes occurred shortly after an attempted missile attack on Israel by Houthi rebels, although Israeli officials stated that the operation had been pre-planned in response to months of Houthi aggression.

According to Al Masirah TV, a broadcaster operated by the Iran-backed Houthi movement, seven people were killed in a strike on the port of Salif, while two more were killed in separate strikes on the nearby Ras Issa oil facility. Further casualties and injuries were reported at the port of Hodeida, while strikes also targeted two power stations near the capital, Sanaa.

IDF Confirms Pre-Planned Operation

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strikes, stating that they targeted "Houthi military targets in Yemen, including ports and energy infrastructure in Sanaa." The IDF emphasized that the strikes aimed to weaken Houthi military capabilities and disrupt the smuggling of Iranian weapons to the region.

"The strikes degrade the Houthi terrorist regime, preventing it from exploiting the targets for military and terrorist purposes," the IDF said in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned the Houthi leadership against further provocations, stating, "I urge the leaders of the Houthi organization to see, to understand, and to remember: whoever raises a hand against the state of Israel, his hand will be cut off. Whoever harms us will be harmed sevenfold."

Houthi Missile Attack Intercepted

The strikes came just hours after Israeli air defenses intercepted at least one missile launched from Yemen. According to a Houthi military spokesperson, the group fired two "Palestine" ballistic missiles at Israel. The IDF reported that sirens sounded following the interception, with debris from the intercepted missile damaging a school building in the Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat Gan. No injuries were reported.

Iran Condemns Israeli Strikes

Iran, which supports the Houthis and is believed to supply them with weapons through Hodeida port, condemned the Israeli strikes. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei described the strikes as "a flagrant violation of the principles and norms of international law and the UN Charter."

Regional and International Context

The strikes come amid growing international focus on Yemen’s ongoing conflict and the Houthis' attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Houthi forces have frequently targeted international shipping routes and launched missiles at Israel, claiming their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The United States and United Kingdom have previously launched strikes on Houthi targets, including a "key command-and-control facility" in Sanaa earlier this week, according to the US Central Command. However, Thursday’s strikes were reportedly carried out by Israel alone, with a US military official confirming that Washington played no role in the operation.

Background of the Conflict

The escalation follows the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas and other militant groups on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the taking of approximately 250 hostages. The attack has fueled an ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza, where local authorities report over 45,000 casualties to date. The broader regional conflict has prompted renewed Houthi attacks on Israel and increased military responses from Western powers and regional actors.