Israel launches Operation Black Flag against Yemen (VIDEO)
The bombing campaign against one of the world's poorest nations, dubbed Operation Black Flag, was announced early Monday by Defense Minister Israel Katz and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The strikes targeted infrastructure at the Yemeni ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Al-Salif, as well as a power station at Ras Katib. Loud explosions were reported in areas surrounding the targeted sites.
'These ports are used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer weapons from the Iranian regime, which are employed to carry out terrorist operations against the State of Israel and its allies,' the IDF claimed. The operation was described as a direct response to drone and missile attacks launched from Houthi-controlled territory toward Israel in recent weeks.
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According to the IDF, one of the targets struck at Ras Isa was the Galaxy Leader, a commercial vessel seized by Houthi forces in November 2023. The IDF claimed that the militants equipped the ship with a radar system to monitor maritime traffic in the Red Sea and facilitate attacks on commercial vessels.
The Ras Kanatib power station was described by the IDF as a legitimate target, serving as a major electricity supply hub for Houthi military operations. 'This is another example of how the Houthi regime uses civilian infrastructure,' the IDF claimed.
Katz reiterated that Israel views the Houthis as part of a broader network of Iranian-backed forces in the region.
'As I warned, Yemen will be treated like Tehran,' Katz said in a statement on X. 'Anyone who tries to harm Israel will be harmed, and anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have it cut off. The Houthis will continue to pay a heavy price for their actions.'
Israel has accused the Houthi movement of serving as a 'central proxy of the Iranian regime' and receiving weapons and funding to support what it describes as a global campaign of terrorism. It further accused the Houthis of using the maritime domain to project force and disrupt international trade, and stated that Israel remains committed to striking any threats against its citizens 'wherever required.'
The Houthis have attacked ships in the Red Sea since late 2023, citing solidarity with the Palestinians during the Gaza conflict. While US President Donald Trump brokered a deal in May to halt the attacks in exchange for a pause in Western airstrikes, the group warned that it would resume its operations if Washington supported Israeli strikes on Iran.
The Houthis have since fired several drones and missiles at Israel following last month's ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran. The latest Israeli retaliatory strikes mark the most extensive military action in Yemen since the series of strikes in May.
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