Background on Yemen’s Situation and the Houthis
Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, with the Houthis controlling significant territories and being part of an axis led by Iran. This axis includes other groups hostile towards Israel in the region, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Palestinian movement Hamas.
Houthi Attacks on Israel
Since the start of the war in Gaza on October 7, 2023, the Houthis have launched repeated missile and drone attacks against Israel. They claim to act in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Recent Israeli Strikes in Yemen
In response to the Houthis’ persistent attacks, Israel has retaliated with strikes against targets in Yemen, including ports in the western part of the country and Sanaa’s airport. These targets are under Houthi control.
Reported Casualties from Recent Israeli Strikes
According to the Houthi-controlled Ministry of Health, at least two people were killed and 35 others injured in the latest Israeli strikes on Sanaa, Yemen’s capital.
Israeli Claims and Houthi Response
The Israeli military stated that their attacks targeted Houthi military infrastructure in Sanaa, including areas near the presidential palace, Assar and Hezyaz power stations, and a fuel storage facility used for military activities by the Houthis.
A Houthi security source told AFP that the attack targeted “the Municipal Security Building” located in Sanaa’s center.
“They Will Pay a Heavy Price”
On Friday night, the Houthis fired a missile toward Israel, approximately 1,800 kilometers away. Israeli authorities suggested that “it likely disintegrated in mid-air.”
Israel has successfully intercepted most Houthi attacks and responded with bombing campaigns against Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen.
“The Houthis will pay a heavy price for every attempt to attack Israel,” the Defense Minister declared last week.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the Houthis? The Houthis are a Yemeni rebel group that has controlled significant territories in Yemen since 2014. They are part of an axis led by Iran, which includes other groups hostile towards Israel in the region.
- Why are the Houthis attacking Israel? The Houthis claim to act in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, specifically in response to Israel’s actions against Palestinians.
- What has Israel done in response? In retaliation for Houthi attacks, Israel has conducted strikes against targets in Yemen under Houthi control, such as ports and Sanaa’s airport.
- What is the current situation in Yemen? Yemen has been in a civil war since 2014, with the Houthis controlling large areas and being part of an Iran-led axis. The conflict has escalated with Houthi missile and drone attacks on Israel since October 2023.
