Unprecedented Strikes: Israel Targets Yemen's Power Stations and Airport in Bold Move Against Houthis

Israel has conducted air strikes targeting Yemeni infrastructure, including ports, power stations, and Sana'a airport. Notably, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the WHO reported being present at the airport during the assault.

In a significant escalation of hostilities, Israel has conducted airstrikes on various strategic locations in Yemen, targeting ports and power stations. This military action is in direct response to a surge in missile and drone assaults from Houthi rebels, which have intensified over recent weeks. Reports from local media indicate that these airstrikes resulted in the loss of three lives, while eleven individuals sustained injuries during the attacks that occurred on Thursday afternoon, local time.

The Houthi-run television channel, Al Masirah, reported that casualties included two fatalities resulting from strikes on the airport and one death at the port. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the airport in Yemen's capital was one of the primary targets of their operation.

As chaos unfolded, World Health Organization Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was preparing to board a flight at Sana'a International Airport when it came under bombardment. He shared via a post on social media platform X that one crew member from his flight suffered injuries, with at least two individuals reported dead at the airport. He described the scene, revealing that damage occurred to the air traffic control tower, the departure lounge, and the runway, all situated just a short distance from where they were located.

The Israeli air strikes, aimed at Houthi rebel positions, caused extensive damage to key infrastructures, including the Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations, along with the Al-Hudaydah, Salif, and Ras Kanatib ports. This assault was characterized by the IDF as a necessary measure against military targets that have been utilized by the Houthi regime to facilitate Iranian weapon smuggling and the entry of high-ranking Iranian officials into the area. The IDF's statement underscored the Houthis' alleged exploitation of civilian infrastructure for military activities.

In the aftermath of the airstrikes, Dr. Ghebreyesus, who was in Yemen to negotiate the release of detained United Nations personnel, indicated that his group would have to wait until the airport was repaired before they could depart. Furthermore, the World Food Programme reported that one of its contracted humanitarian workers was injured in the attack at Sana'a International Airport.

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalation of violence and the attacks between Israel and the Houthis, asserting that strikes targeting ports and airports represent serious threats to the safety of humanitarian workers in the region. He called for immediate de-escalation of the ongoing conflict.

As tensions escalated, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was seen alongside IDF commanders in a video discussing the mission, expressing a commitment to dismantling what he termed "the terrorist arm of Iran's evil axis." He conveyed a strong message to the Houthis, stating that Israel would persist until the objective was achieved. The head of the Israeli Air Force also addressed the Houthis, imparting a cautionary note regarding their capabilities.

In recent days, the Houthis have ramped up their attacks on Israel, claiming responsibility for missile strikes targeting military installations. Warning sirens have echoed across Israel, notably in its largest city, Tel Aviv, as defenses intercepted incoming ballistic missiles. The weekend prior, missile firings in the Jaffa area left multiple individuals injured, highlighting the ongoing hostile exchanges between the two factions.

Despite the Israeli strikes, the Houthis have yet to issue a formal response. They assert that their actions are motivated by solidarity with the Palestinian people amid Israel's continued military operations in Gaza. For over a year now, Houthi assaults have disrupted critical international shipping routes, resulting in companies being compelled to alter their routes to more prolonged and costly passages. This shift has raised concerns regarding potential global inflationary pressures.

The United Nations Security Council is slated to convene on Monday to address the escalating situation surrounding Houthi attacks directed at Israel, as stated by Israel's UN Ambassador, Danny Danon.