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Israel bombs Houthi military targets in Yemen

In response to “the hundreds of attacks” by the Iranian-backed Shiite militia against Israel in recent months, including one against Tel Aviv a few days ago that left 1 dead and several injured

The United Kingdom officially announces its support for the autonomy proposal for the Moroccan Sahara

A proposal from the United Kingdom aims to combat Islamophobia through education and dialogue

Diplomatic tension between the United Kingdom and Iran

Una fotografía obtenida del Centro de Medios Huthi Ansarullah de Yemen muestra una enorme columna de fuego que surge tras los ataques en la ciudad portuaria de Hodeidah, controlada por los rebeldes yemeníes, el 20 de julio de 2024 - ANSARULLAH MEDIA CENTRE / AFP
A photograph obtained from Yemen's Huthi Ansarullah Media Center shows a huge column of fire emerging following attacks on the port city of Hodeidah, controlled by Yemeni rebels, on July 20, 2024.- ANSARULLAH MEDIA CENTER / AFP
Margarita Arredondas
Updated: 21/07/24

For the first time, and after numerous attacks by the Houthis, Israeli fighter jets have bombed Yemen, destroying numerous military objectives of this Shiite militia backed by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Israeli operation focused on the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah, a coastal city that has also been the target of attacks by the United States and the United Kingdom in recent months.

The Houthis said in a statement that the Israeli attack left 3 dead and 87 wounded and targeted oil tanks and the Hodeidah power plant “in order to pressure Yemen to stop supporting Gaza.” However, as the rebel group has highlighted, this “will only increase the determination of the Yemeni people and their armed forces to support Gaza.” 

Since the start of the war between Hamas and Israel on October 7, the Houthis, as well as other armed groups related to Tehran, have launched numerous attacks against Israel. The Yemeni militia has focused especially on the coastal town of Eilat, on the shores of the Red Sea. Although most of these attacks were intercepted, the most recent, against Tel Aviv, left one dead and several injured.

In addition to attacking Israeli territory, the Houthis have put international trade in check by hijacking and attacking ships transiting the Gulf of Aden in the Red Sea, one of the most important trade routes globally. 

“IDF warplanes recently attacked military targets of the Houthi terrorist regime in the Hodeidah port area of ​​Yemen, in response to the hundreds of attacks against the State of Israel in recent months,” the Israeli Army confirmed in a statement. following the first reports of attacks in the Yemeni city. In total, Israeli authorities estimate that the Houthis have launched more than 200 attacks against their country, using drones and cruise missiles.

With this attack, Israel sends a strong message to its enemies in the region, all directed and financed from Tehran. “The fire burning in Yemen is seen throughout the Middle East. The first time the Houthis harmed an Israeli citizen, we attacked them. And we will do it wherever it is necessary,” said Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, after the attack on Yemen, a country more than 1,600 kilometers away.

A senior Israeli official has expressed himself along these lines, emphasizing that “Israel will act everywhere to protect its citizens and its sovereignty,” according to Axios. The official explained to the American news website that the port of Hodeida is "a terrorist infrastructure and a legitimate military target" since, according to him, it is used by the Houthis to obtain weapons.

The port of Hodeidah is also a key entry point for international aid destined for areas controlled by the Houthis, accused of looting this aid. “In practice, most of the aid goes to the Houthis and not to the citizens of Yemen,” he said. 

“The Houthi attack on Tel Aviv crossed all the red lines and that is why we responded after nine months of restraint,” added the official, who clarifies that Israel “has nothing against the citizens of Yemen” and is not seeking an regional war.

Shortly after the Israeli airstrike against Hodeidah, the Houthis launched a missile again from Yemen towards Eilat, although it “did not cross Israeli territory,” according to military authorities. Despite this, alarms did sound regarding the possibility of shrapnel falling on the city.

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Israel Yemen
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