According to the reports on Friday (27 December), Israeli airstrikes on Thursday (26 December) targeted Sanaa’s international airport, military facilities, and power stations in Yemen, leaving three people dead and injuring several others. The strikes came a day after the Iran-backed Houthi militia launched a missile and two drones at Israel, escalating hostilities. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, present at the airport during the bombardment, reported damage to the air traffic control tower, departure lounge, and runway, as well as injuries to one of his plane’s crew members.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would persist in its operations until the Houthi threat was eliminated, labeling the group a branch of Iran’s “axis of evil.” Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed to target Houthi leaders, emphasizing Israel’s resolve to dismantle their infrastructure. The Israeli military claimed its strikes targeted Houthi military assets, including facilities used for smuggling Iranian weapons and hosting senior Iranian officials.
The Houthis condemned the strikes as a “Zionist crime” against Yemen, with spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam accusing Israel of aggression. The conflict has intensified since the Houthis began targeting Israel with missiles and drones, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. In recent months, the Houthis have also disrupted shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, prompting retaliatory strikes by the U.S., Britain, and Israel.
This escalation follows years of intermittent clashes between Israel and the Houthis, with previous strikes on Yemeni ports and energy facilities. The Houthis’ recent attacks on Tel Aviv and maritime vessels have drawn strong warnings from Israel, signaling a growing regional confrontation. The situation underscores the Houthis’ expanding reach and Israel’s determination to counter threats linked to Iran.
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