Asger Risom
Houthi Rebels Vow Retaliation After Attack on Sanaa Airport
Tensions in the Middle East are once again on the rise as Israel launched a series of airstrikes on the main airport in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen. The strikes came in response to a missile launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels that landed near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, escalating the ongoing regional conflict.
Israeli Military Hits Aircraft, Runway, and Energy Infrastructure
According to the Israeli Defense Forces, the airport — controlled by the Houthi movement — was “completely disabled.” The strikes targeted three civilian planes, the departures terminal, the runway, and a nearby military base. Israel claims the site was being used to “transport weapons and combatants.”
In addition to the airport, Israeli warplanes reportedly struck electrical infrastructure in Sanaa and bombed the al-Imran cement factory in the city’s north. These sites were described by the IDF as key logistical assets for the Houthi rebels.
As reported by Digi24, this is not the first Israeli operation in Yemen. Similar attacks occurred in December and January, hitting both ports and power stations used by the Houthi militia.
Missile Near Tel Aviv Prompts Swift Response
The latest strikes were prompted by a missile launched Sunday morning by the Houthis that landed near a main access road to Ben Gurion Airport, wounding six people and briefly closing the facility. The group later announced its intent to impose “a complete air blockade” on Israel by continuing to target airports.
In a statement following the incident, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “We have attacked in the past, and we will attack in the future,” reaffirming Israel’s stance on retaliatory military action.
The Houthis responded with a vow to maintain support for Gaza and warned that Israel’s “aggression will not go unanswered.”
Longstanding Tensions
This is not the first time Israel has conducted strikes in Yemen. Similar attacks took place in December and January, targeting critical infrastructure and ports believed to be aiding the Houthi military campaign. The Houthis, for their part, have reiterated their commitment to supporting Gaza, promising that “Israeli aggression will not go unanswered.”
As regional hostilities widen, the international community watches with growing concern over the potential for broader conflict.