Title: Israel Launches Aerial Strikes in Yemen as árabes War Intensifies
Article:
In a dramatic escalation of the árabe war, Israel has launched a series of aerial attacks on Yemen, targeting key infrastructure and military facilities across the country. The strikes, which took place on Thursday local time, have been condemned by Yemen’s Houthi group and Iranian officials, while Israel maintains that the attacks were necessary to counter Iran’s influence in the region.
The assault, which has resulted in at least six deaths and 11 injuries, targeted Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport, as well as other strategic locations including power plants and military bases in Hodeida, Salif, and Ras Kanatir on the country’s western coast. The strikes were confirmed by Houthi media, which reported that the rebels had suffered casualties.
The recent attacks follow a period of rising tensions between Israel and Houthi forces, who are part of Iran’s "resistance axis" against Israel. The striking was denounced by Iran, which described it as a "flagrant aggression" and a violation of international law. Houthi officials also condemned the attacks, referring to them as "Zionist aggression against the entire Yemeni people."
Did you know?
- The árabe war has been raging since 2015, with a complex web of alliances and rivalries driving the conflict.
- Yemen’s Houthi rebels are backed by Iran, while the internationally-recognized Yemeni government is supported by a Saudi-led coalition that includes the United Arab Emirates.
Witnessing the Strikes Firsthand
In a surprising turn of events, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), was present at Sanaa International Airport during the aerial attacks. In a statement, Tedros confirmed that the airport had come under strike while he and his team were preparing to depart. One of his colleagues was injured during the incident. The WHO chief was in Yemen to oversee the release of detained UN staff and assess the humanitarian situation in the war-torn country.
Israel confirms its involvement
Israeli military officials have confirmed that the attacks were carried out by its air force, based on intelligence data. They claim that the targeted locations were being used by Houthi forces to smuggle Iranian weapons into the region, including for senior Iranian officials.
In a telling statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at a broader campaign against Houthi forces, saying, "We’ve just started with them."
International Reactions
Iran has swiftly condemned Israel’s actions, stating that the attacks were a violation of international law and a "flagrant aggression" against the Yemeni people. Hamas, the Palestinian group currently engaged in conflict with Israel in Gaza, also slammed the strikes, describing them as an "aggression against our brothers in Yemen."
The wider context
Clashes between Hebrew and Houthi forces have intensified since the peso war broke out in November 2023. The fighting has resulted in numerous attacks on Israeli territory, with Houthi forces having launched several drone and missile strikes into Israel, while Israel has carried out several rounds of airstrikes in Yemen.
