The Israeli Air Force launched its largest attack against the Houthis in Yemen so far, bombing power plants and a seaport.
Al-Masirah, the Houthi-run news station, said that at least four people were killed — one port worker and three engineers — and 33 injured. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said the attack was in retaliation for missile strikes against Israel.
“The targets included power plants and a seaport, which were used by the Houthis to transfer Iranian weapons to the region, in addition to military supplies and oil,” the statement read. “Over the past year, the Houthis have been operating under the direction and funding of Iran, and in cooperation with Iraqi militias, in order to attack the State of Israel, undermine regional stability, and disrupt global freedom of navigation. The IDF is determined to continue operating at any distance—near or far—against all threats to the citizens of the State of Israel.”
Houthi Spokesman Mohammad Abdul Salam denounced the attack and pledged that the group would continue its attacks.
“The American-backed Zionist aggression is condemned, denounced and rejected and cannot affect the will of the Yemeni people,” he said in a statement on X. “What the Yemeni people confirm in their million weekly demonstrations is that they will not abandon Gaza and Lebanon.”
He was joined in his condemnation by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani.
Israeli officials told Axios that the attack was coordinated with the United States, who have been carrying out a naval and air campaign against the Houthis since December.
Israeli aircraft flew over 1,100 miles to carry out the strike, the Jerusalem Post reported. The strike was the second carried out by Israel against Yemen, with the first happening in July in retaliation for a drone attack on Tel Aviv, which killed one Israeli.
Footage of the attacks showed a massive fireball rising over Hodeidah after Israeli bombs hit a fuel tank.
Oil Tanks at the Port of Ras Isa in Western Yemen seen Exploding, following several Israeli Airstrikes against the Port and nearby Facilities. pic.twitter.com/dIOdE3pGjV
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) September 29, 2024
Meanwhile, Israel continued striking Hezbollah with numerous strikes on Sunday. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that the death toll is now over 1,000, approaching the total number killed in Israel’s 2006 invasion of Lebanon.
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Israel has decimated Hezbollah’s command structure over the past few weeks, killing around 30 senior commanders, including leader Hassan Nasrallah, and killing or wounding thousands of members in a daring pager and communications attack earlier this month. Such an attack against the Houthis is unlikely, however, as Israel designated Hezbollah as one of its primary foes decades ago, compared to the relatively recent interactions with the Houthis.
Israel appears poised for a ground invasion of Lebanon, its fourth in nearly 50 years.