Israel carried out missile strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on Monday, targeting the group’s ports and other facilities, while also exchanging fire with them.
These strikes were launched in retaliation for a suspected Houthi assault on a Liberian-flagged ship in the Red Sea. The vessel was hit with explosives and small arms fire, causing it to take on water and compelling the crew to abandon ship. The Houthis have not yet taken responsibility for this specific attack. Israel’s military issued a warning before its offensive, which focused on the ports of Hodeida, Ras Isa, and Salif.
“These ports are utilized by the Houthi terrorist regime to transport weapons from the Iranian regime, which are then used to execute terrorist operations against the state of Israel and its allies,” the Israeli military stated.
The Houthis responded as the strikes began, but Israel reported no casualties resulting from their counter-attack.
The Israeli attack also targeted the Galaxy Leader, a vessel that the Houthis had seized in 2023. The IDF indicated that the ship had been “equipped with a radar system to track international vessels for terror operations.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a threat of further strikes if Houthi aggression persists in the Red Sea or elsewhere.
“What applies to Iran also applies to Yemen,” Katz declared in a statement. “Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have it severed. The Houthis will continue to incur a heavy cost for their actions.”
Meanwhile, Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree affirmed that the group is “fully prepared for a sustained and prolonged confrontation” and intends to maintain its “naval blockade.”
U.S. Army Gen. Michael Kurilla informed lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee last month that Iran is the primary reason the Houthis remain a threat, adding that the terrorist network “would die on the vine without “.
News of Monday’s engagement comes just hours before President and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are slated to meet at the White House.
The two leaders are expected to deliberate on the future of Gaza, with Israel insisting that Hamas must be completely removed from the region.
The Associated Press contributed to this report