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Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Houthis Defiant After Unprecedented Israeli Naval Attack
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Houthis will keep carrying out military operations against Israel in support for Gaza, a spokesperson said, dismissing the impact of Tuesday's unprecedented naval attack on the Hodeida port in Yemen. Israel had previously struck only from the air. Newsweek has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for comment. Why It Matters The port attack comes as the Yemeni Houthis have defied Israel by targeted its Ben Gurion international airport with ballistic missiles, including one last month that the Israeli missile defense systems failed to intercept, causing a brief disruption of air traffic. Israel is currently facing the Houthi threat alone after the United States signed a ceasefire agreement with the Iranian-backed rebel group, which has in the past disrupted maritime navigation through the Red Sea and whose capabilities were not neutralized despite heavy U.S. airstrikes for over a month. Houthi supporters wear Muslim pilgrims dress, known as "Ihram", as they burn American and Israeli flags during an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel weekly rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, May 30, 2025. Houthi supporters wear Muslim pilgrims dress, known as "Ihram", as they burn American and Israeli flags during an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel weekly rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, May 30, 2025. Osamah Abdulrahman/AP Photo What To Know Nasruddin Amer, Head of Houthi-controlled Saba News Agency said the recent Israeli port attack has "no significant impact" on the group's "preparations for escalation and expansion of operations deep inside the Zionist enemy entity," he wrote on his X account in a reference to Israel. "It has no impact even on the morale of our people who take to the streets weekly by the millions in support of Gaza," he added. In a separate post, Amer alleged that Israel carried a naval aggression to avoid air force defeat by the Houthis. The IDF said that the navy's operational flexibility with close range strikes had allowed it to hit targets at Hodeida port that the air force had struggled to neutralize in around 10 prior airstrikes on the Houthis since mid-2024, according to The Jerusalem Post. The Houthis have warned international vessels from carrying weapons to Israel through the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab with the threat of possible attacks. The Houthis say they are acting in support of Gaza, which has been devastated by an Israeli offensive since Hamas launched an attack on Israel from there in October 2023. What People Are Saying Nasrudding Amer wrote on X: "Have the skies of Yemen become closed to American, Zionist and other aircraft?! The coming days will answer these questions and others." Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on X: "Israeli Navy Missile Ships struck terror targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime in the Hudaydah Port in Yemen. These strikes were conducted in response to repeated missile and UAV attacks on Israeli territory. The Hudaydah Port is used to transfer weapons and to exploit civilian infrastructure in order to advance terrorist activities." What Happens Next The Houthis have vowed to uphold a naval blockade on Israel-linked vessels passing through the Red Sea as well as attacks targeting Ben Gurion airport, with Israel pledging to deliver a powerful response.
The Herald Scotland
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Israeli strikes on Yemen's capital killed at least seven, say Houthi rebels
Israel said the rare daytime attack on Sanaa, held by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels since 2014, left commercial aircraft burning on the tarmac as its fighter jets struck power plants and other targets. The airstrikes came in response to a Houthi ballistic missile striking the grounds of Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes targeting a power plant and Sanaa Airpor (Osamah Abdulrahman/AP) Israel's military had warned on social media that people should leave the area immediately, saying that 'failure to evacuate the area endangers your lives'. The explosions from the strikes echoed across Sanaa, sending the public fleeing to find cover as thick black smoke rose over the skyline. The Houthis' al-Masirah satellite news channel aired footage from the airport, showing its terminal's windows blown out with concrete blocks exposed and a fire burning inside. On its runway, aircraft associated with the state carrier Yemenia burned. The airline later said three of its planes had been 'taken out of service' in the attack, although those abroad in Jordan were untouched. The Israeli strike came after a flight to Amman on Tuesday took off. Other strikes hit a cement plant and power plants, the Houthis and Israelis both said. On Monday, Israel targeted Houthi rebels in Yemen's Red Sea province of Hodeida, hitting a key port and another cement factory. Israel's defence minister Israel Katz said the strike should be seen as a warning to the 'head of the Iranian octopus', which he said bears direct responsibility for attacks by the Houthis against Israel. The Israeli airstrikes involved some 50 bombs and 'dozens' of aircraft, the Israeli military said. Israeli security forces clean the road from debris where the Israeli military said a projectile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels landed in the area of Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on Sunday (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) It also required mid-air refuelling to reach Sanaa, showing their reach also to Iran as Israel has threatened to strike Tehran's nuclear enrichment sites. Sunday's missile attack by the Houthis struck an access road near Israel's main airport near Tel Aviv, briefly halting flights and commuter traffic. Four people were slightly injured. It was the first time a missile struck the grounds of Ben-Gurion airport since the October 2023 start of the war in Gaza. While most missiles launched by the Houthis have been intercepted, some missiles and drones have penetrated Israel's air defences. The UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said the latest strikes carried out on Israel and Yemen's airport marked a 'grave escalation in an already fragile and volatile regional context'. He urged the parties to show restraint. The future of American attacks on the Houthis, who have pledged to continue to target Israel, was thrown into question after US President Donald Trump said America would stop striking the Houthis. He described the rebels as having 'capitulated' and agreed to stop targeting shipping in the Red Sea, although the rebels did not specifically acknowledge such a pledge. 'We indirectly informed the Americans that the continued escalation will affect the criminal Trump's visit to the region, and we have not informed them of anything else,' said Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthi's supreme political council, in a statement carried by the rebel-controlled SABA news agency early on Wednesday. Mr Trump is due to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates next week. Badr al-Busaidi, the foreign minister of Oman who mediated between the US and the Houthis, also is mediating between America and Iran over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme. 'Today's news about the situation in the Red Sea means that diplomatic efforts have lead to the end to the conflict between the US and Ansar Allah in Yemen,' Mr al-Busaidi wrote on X, using another name for the Houthis. 'They will no longer target each other, ensuring freedom of navigation for international commercial shipping in the Red Sea.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israeli strikes on Yemen's capital killed at least seven, say Houthi rebels
Israeli strikes on Yemen's capital killed at least seven, say Houthi rebels Israel attacks on Yemen's capital have killed at least seven people, according to Houthi rebels. They said two days of attacks, which the Israeli military said had disabled the airport in Sanaa, wounded 74 others. Israel said the rare daytime attack on Sanaa, held by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels since 2014, left commercial aircraft burning on the tarmac as its fighter jets struck power plants and other targets. The airstrikes came in response to a Houthi ballistic missile striking the grounds of Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes targeting a power plant and Sanaa Airpor (Osamah Abdulrahman/AP) Israel's military had warned on social media that people should leave the area immediately, saying that 'failure to evacuate the area endangers your lives'. ADVERTISEMENT The explosions from the strikes echoed across Sanaa, sending the public fleeing to find cover as thick black smoke rose over the skyline. The Houthis' al-Masirah satellite news channel aired footage from the airport, showing its terminal's windows blown out with concrete blocks exposed and a fire burning inside. On its runway, aircraft associated with the state carrier Yemenia burned. The airline later said three of its planes had been 'taken out of service' in the attack, although those abroad in Jordan were untouched. The Israeli strike came after a flight to Amman on Tuesday took off. Other strikes hit a cement plant and power plants, the Houthis and Israelis both said. On Monday, Israel targeted Houthi rebels in Yemen's Red Sea province of Hodeida, hitting a key port and another cement factory. ADVERTISEMENT Israel's defence minister Israel Katz said the strike should be seen as a warning to the 'head of the Iranian octopus', which he said bears direct responsibility for attacks by the Houthis against Israel. The Israeli airstrikes involved some 50 bombs and 'dozens' of aircraft, the Israeli military said. Israeli security forces clean the road from debris where the Israeli military said a projectile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels landed in the area of Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on Sunday (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) It also required mid-air refuelling to reach Sanaa, showing their reach also to Iran as Israel has threatened to strike Tehran's nuclear enrichment sites. Sunday's missile attack by the Houthis struck an access road near Israel's main airport near Tel Aviv, briefly halting flights and commuter traffic. Four people were slightly injured. It was the first time a missile struck the grounds of Ben-Gurion airport since the October 2023 start of the war in Gaza. While most missiles launched by the Houthis have been intercepted, some missiles and drones have penetrated Israel's air defences. ADVERTISEMENT The UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said the latest strikes carried out on Israel and Yemen's airport marked a 'grave escalation in an already fragile and volatile regional context'. He urged the parties to show restraint. The future of American attacks on the Houthis, who have pledged to continue to target Israel, was thrown into question after US President Donald Trump said America would stop striking the Houthis. He described the rebels as having 'capitulated' and agreed to stop targeting shipping in the Red Sea, although the rebels did not specifically acknowledge such a pledge. 'We indirectly informed the Americans that the continued escalation will affect the criminal Trump's visit to the region, and we have not informed them of anything else,' said Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthi's supreme political council, in a statement carried by the rebel-controlled SABA news agency early on Wednesday. Mr Trump is due to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates next week. ADVERTISEMENT Badr al-Busaidi, the foreign minister of Oman who mediated between the US and the Houthis, also is mediating between America and Iran over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme. 'Today's news about the situation in the Red Sea means that diplomatic efforts have lead to the end to the conflict between the US and Ansar Allah in Yemen,' Mr al-Busaidi wrote on X, using another name for the Houthis. 'They will no longer target each other, ensuring freedom of navigation for international commercial shipping in the Red Sea.'
Irish Examiner
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Israeli strikes on Yemen's capital killed at least seven, say Houthi rebels
Israel attacks on Yemen's capital have killed at least seven people, according to Houthi rebels. They said two days of attacks, which the Israeli military said had disabled the airport in Sanaa, wounded 74 others. Israel said the rare daytime attack on Sanaa, held by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels since 2014, left commercial aircraft burning on the tarmac as its fighter jets struck power plants and other targets. The airstrikes came in response to a Houthi ballistic missile striking the grounds of Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes targeting a power plant and Sanaa Airpor (Osamah Abdulrahman/AP) Israel's military had warned on social media that people should leave the area immediately, saying that 'failure to evacuate the area endangers your lives'. The explosions from the strikes echoed across Sanaa, sending the public fleeing to find cover as thick black smoke rose over the skyline. The Houthis' al-Masirah satellite news channel aired footage from the airport, showing its terminal's windows blown out with concrete blocks exposed and a fire burning inside. On its runway, aircraft associated with the state carrier Yemenia burned. The airline later said three of its planes had been 'taken out of service' in the attack, although those abroad in Jordan were untouched. The Israeli strike came after a flight to Amman on Tuesday took off. Other strikes hit a cement plant and power plants, the Houthis and Israelis both said. On Monday, Israel targeted Houthi rebels in Yemen's Red Sea province of Hodeida, hitting a key port and another cement factory. Israel's defence minister Israel Katz said the strike should be seen as a warning to the 'head of the Iranian octopus', which he said bears direct responsibility for attacks by the Houthis against Israel. The Israeli airstrikes involved some 50 bombs and 'dozens' of aircraft, the Israeli military said. Israeli security forces clean the road from debris where the Israeli military said a projectile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels landed in the area of Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on Sunday (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) It also required mid-air refuelling to reach Sanaa, showing their reach also to Iran as Israel has threatened to strike Tehran's nuclear enrichment sites. Sunday's missile attack by the Houthis struck an access road near Israel's main airport near Tel Aviv, briefly halting flights and commuter traffic. Four people were slightly injured. It was the first time a missile struck the grounds of Ben-Gurion airport since the October 2023 start of the war in Gaza. While most missiles launched by the Houthis have been intercepted, some missiles and drones have penetrated Israel's air defences. The UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said the latest strikes carried out on Israel and Yemen's airport marked a 'grave escalation in an already fragile and volatile regional context'. He urged the parties to show restraint. The future of American attacks on the Houthis, who have pledged to continue to target Israel, was thrown into question after US President Donald Trump said America would stop striking the Houthis. He described the rebels as having 'capitulated' and agreed to stop targeting shipping in the Red Sea, although the rebels did not specifically acknowledge such a pledge. 'We indirectly informed the Americans that the continued escalation will affect the criminal Trump's visit to the region, and we have not informed them of anything else,' said Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthi's supreme political council, in a statement carried by the rebel-controlled SABA news agency early on Wednesday. Mr Trump is due to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates next week. Badr al-Busaidi, the foreign minister of Oman who mediated between the US and the Houthis, also is mediating between America and Iran over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme. 'Today's news about the situation in the Red Sea means that diplomatic efforts have lead to the end to the conflict between the US and Ansar Allah in Yemen,' Mr al-Busaidi wrote on X, using another name for the Houthis. 'They will no longer target each other, ensuring freedom of navigation for international commercial shipping in the Red Sea.'
Sky News AU
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Israel unleashes series of airstrikes on Yemen's airport, power plants in powerful show of force
The Israeli military struck Yemen's capital on Tuesday with a series of airstrikes aimed at the Houthi rebels, disabling the country's international airport and several power plants. Images of Israel's latest strike showed black plumes of smoke rising above the skyline in the Houthi-controlled capital, where the Iran-backed terror group has held regular demonstrations against the Jewish state and America over the war in Gaza. The smoke and blasts led officials at the Sanaa International Airport to issue a facility-wide evacuation. 'We urge you to immediately evacuate the area of the airport and to warn anyone nearby to distance themselves immediately,' spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on social media, attaching a map of Sanaa International Airport. 'Failure to evacuate the area endangers your lives.' The Israel Defense Forces said the airport was targeted for its alleged use as a Houthi facility to transfer its 'weapons and operatives.' Along with shutting down the airport, the IDF said the airstrikes destroyed several power stations near Sanaa that were allegedly used by the Houthis, along with a cement factory just north of the capital. Yemenis watch as smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes targeting a power plant and Sanaa Airport, in Yemen. Picture: AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman There is no immediate information on any casualties. The airstrikes came following Monday's attacks along the Yemen coast and served as further retaliation for a Houthi missile strike over the weekend that injured four people near the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Netanyahu had warned that swift and repeated strikes would be coming for the Houthis following the attack on the Tel Aviv airport. Monday's attack saw nearly two dozen Israeli Air Force fighter jets drop 50 munitions on the port of Hodeidah and a concrete factory in the nearby city of Bajil, the IDF said. The strikes killed at least one five people and wounded another 74, according to the Houthi-run Ministry of Health. Like with Tuesday's strikes, the IDF said the targets were Houthi strongholds that helped the terror group profit and transport their weapons. Israel's consecutive attacks against Yemen are the Jewish state's first in nearly four months following a joint strike with US and British forces in January. The conflict in Yemen started shortly after Israel began its ground operation in Gaza in November 2023, with the rebel group launching attacks on military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea as a show of support for Hamas. The attacks have disrupted the major shipping route, with President Trump launching his own intensified airstrike campaign on the Houthis since March 15. With Post wires Originally published as Israel unleashes series of airstrikes on Yemen's airport, power plants in powerful show of force
