Israel Launches Strikes on Yemen’s Hudaydah Port

IDF fighter jets reportedly struck Houthi military targets near Hudaydah port a day after Houthis claimed responsibility for an aerial drone strike against Tel Aviv.

Hudaydah, located on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, is its largest city and main port. As such, it plays a pivotal role in international shipping lanes, providing access to these routes from Hudaydah.

Israel?s response to the Houthi attack on Tel Aviv

Israel responded to a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv with airstrikes Saturday against Yemen?s port city of Hodeidah. These strikes apparently targeted oil and diesel storage facilities at the port as well as electricity company operations there, while media run by Houthis reported deaths and injuries without specifying numbers; additionally they described a large fire at the port as well as widespread power cuts.

Israel carried out this strike for almost the first time outside Gaza since almost two years, despite repeated warnings by Western diplomats and Israeli officials that military escalation in this region could have serious repercussions for vulnerable people worldwide.

Israel conducted its strikes unilaterally on Saturday without American military participation, according to four US officials interviewed by The New York Times. Israel informed its allies ahead of time that its strikes would target dual-use targets including energy infrastructure. An Israeli military official stated Israel will strengthen its air defenses due to increased Houthi activity.

Israel has succeeded in intercepting many of the hundreds of drones and rockets fired by Iran-backed Houthis rebels since Israel’s war with Hamas began last November; however, this hasn’t stopped them from seizing most of Yemeni territory and threatening major shipping rerouting through Red Sea ports.

Israel has warned the United States and Britain against permitting Houthi rebels to disrupt shipping in the area, warning it may escalate into full-scale regional warfare. Houthis are equipped with long-range ballistic missiles, shorter cruise missiles and “suicide” drones capable of reaching southern Israel.

Houthi rebels have also been suspected of transporting weapons from Iran into their ports, with no apparent effect. Both the U.S. and Britain have tried repeatedly to deter these rebels through countermeasures; yet these efforts have proven ineffective. Fears over an impending Red Sea conflict have increased amid worries that it could spread into wider Middle Eastern region where competing interests vie for influence over Syria?s future and Palestinian refugees. Concerns are mounting that Yemen’s conflict could escalate out of control, as has already occurred in Gaza. Israel fears Iran is using rebel groups as weapons against Saudi Arabia through proxy warfare. Rebel forces in Yemen and Bahrain backed by Shia Muslim militias are fighting against Sunni-dominated government of Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi who was deposed last June. Allies include al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula as well as tribal militias located throughout northern Yemen allied to al-Qaeda. These groups fought against Sunni government of Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi until June when his ousting occurred.

The Houthi attack on Hudaydah

Pro-government forces supported by a Saudi-led multinational coalition have launched an attack against Hudaydah port, controlled by Houthi rebels, which serves as an essential lifeline to two-thirds of Yemen’s population and almost entirely dependent upon imports for food, fuel and medicine. According to UN estimates, prolonged fighting over Hudaydah could claim up to 250,000 lives and cut supplies off to millions more Yemenis.

Conflict in Yemen has resulted in massive civilian displacement due to fighting between government forces and rebel groups over resources and power, leaving 22 million people requiring food assistance; furthermore, siege of cities has created humanitarian disasters, with up to 80% of people not having access to safe drinking water and sewer services.

Israeli military spokesperson stated that Israel Defense Forces fighter jets conducted airstrikes against Houthi terrorist regime targets near Hudaydah Port as part of their response to hundreds of attacks against Israel over recent months. They targeted Iranian military equipment facilities, oil dispensers, and airports; an effort intended to undermine their supply routes of arms for Houthis forces.

Houthis rebels aligned with Iran have intensified their attacks against Western ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, citing solidarity with Palestinians as justification. A French frigate in Red Sea shot down two drones launched from Yemen earlier this week.

Though fighting has escalated in Hudaydah, it remains possible for it to be avoided. According to an analysis by International Crisis Group on conflict zones around the globe, battle for Hudaydah would not lead to an easy win for government forces and then Houthi capitulation; rather it will likely turn into an extended destructive fight that ravages both city and people.

The latest attack comes as US aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt arrives to secure Yemen’s vital waterway. It will replace its predecessor USS Dwight D. Eisenhower which spent several months last year protecting ships bringing supplies into Yemen from ships entering through Red Sea ports. Houthis have used missiles to sink at least four vessels bringing in supplies while seizing one, according to UN officials; two were carrying medical supplies while one provided fuel for generators used by hospitals – according to Pentagon warnings such attacks are dangerous as they could increase risks to personnel as well as carriers themselves.