Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck Houthi military targets in Yemen last thursday, the IDF announced, hours after the Iran-backed group fired a ballistic missile at central Israel. The strikes hit military infrastructure and ports used by the Houthis along Yemen’s western coast and inland. The IDF said the targets were chosen to disrupt the group’s ability to import weapons and attack Israel.
“The Houthis are paying and will continue to pay a heavy price for their aggression against Israel,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement. “We will hunt down the Houthi leadership just as we did with Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. No one who harms Israeli citizens will escape our reach.” The strikes came after a Houthi ballistic missile triggered air raid sirens across central Israel early Thursday morning, sending more than three million people to bomb shelters. The missile was intercepted by Israel’s Arrow defense system, but fragments fell in open areas. No injuries were reported.
The Houthis have launched dozens of missiles and drones at Israel since the start of the war in Gaza, most of which have been intercepted or fallen in open areas. The group says its attacks are in solidarity with ‘Palestinians’. Israeli officials have warned that continued Houthi attacks could trigger a broader military response. Thursday’s strikes mark one of Israel’s most significant operations against the group in recent months.
The IDF said its aircraft returned safely from the mission.