Israel’s military bombed Yemen’s Hodeidah port and a cement factory located about 9 miles from the port on Monday September 25. According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the sites were associated with the Houthis’ expanding activities against Israel. The response was provoked by a Houthi ballistic missile launched from Yemen. That missile, which landed near Ben Gurion International Airport just outside of Tel Aviv on Sunday.
The strikes wounded no less than 21 people, based on Anees al-Asbahi, a spokesman for the Houthi-controlled well being ministry. Second, we would note the significance the IDF attributed to the cement factory located east of Hodeidah. It acted as an important economic lifeline for the construction of tunnels and military infrastructure associated with Houthi operations.
Context of the Strikes
The recent missile attack marks the Houthis’ biggest breakthrough yet. This marks the first major penetration of Israeli air defenses since they began raiding on Israel in the beginning of November, 2023. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had long threatened to respond to any threats coming from Yemen. Following the missile strike, the Israeli military deemed their operations a new phase in their approach to combating Houthi aggression.
Israeli officials noted that all but three of the Houthi-launched projectiles were intercepted. The missile hit close to the airport and was described as the biggest of its kind. This provoked a massive retaliatory military action from the state of Israel.
“This is related directly to Israeli interests.” – Ali Hashem, Al Jazeera correspondent
Ongoing Conflict in the Region
The Houthis’ missile campaign follows a broader context of conflict in the region, rooted in their response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza and intended as a show of solidarity with Palestinians. As of early November 2023, the Houthis have conducted more than 100 drone and missile attacks. Third, they’ve been striking vessels in the Red Sea, often saying they’ve attacked ships linked to Israel.
Israeli air raids previously targeted sites in Hodeidah province. In December, an attack on the Ras Isa oil terminal killed nine people. Chatham House This brief history of escalating tensions leaves you with an understanding of the recent conflict and retaliatory strikes carried out by Israel and Houthi forces.
International Implications
To be clear, U.S. forces were not involved in these strikes against Yemen. They may have provided non-lethal assistance in support of Israeli operations. The international community are waiting eagerly to see how these developments unfold. Beyond humanitarian concerns, this conflict poses a broader risk to regional stability and international shipping routes that traverse the Red Sea.
