Yemen Port Attack Kills Nine, Spurs Israeli Retaliation
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At least nine people were killed and three injured in Yemen following Israeli airstrikes targeting energy infrastructure and the port of Salif, reportedly controlled by Houthi rebels. The attacks, which occurred Thursday, mark a meaningful escalation in the ongoing conflict.
“As a result of an attack by Israel’s enemy directed against the port of Salif, seven people died,” reported Al Masirah, a Yemeni television station.The station added that “two others died and one was injured” in separate attacks on oil facilities in Ras Issa.
Al Masirah reported seven separate attacks against the strategically vital port of Al Hodeidah, Yemen’s main port. Israeli forces had previously identified al Hodeidah as a launch point for attacks against Israeli-affiliated ships in the Red Sea. This marks the second attack on the port this year, following an earlier incident in September that resulted in five deaths.
Israel’s Response and Houthi Claims
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of a “strong” response to the situation, following reports of missile fire and threats. Israeli forces confirmed early Thursday morning that they had bombed ports and energy infrastructure in Sana’a, the Yemeni capital, along the west coast, and inland.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed obligation for launching “two hypersonic ballistic missiles, type Palestine 2,” against Israel. He described the operation as “successfully achieving its objectives” and a “natural and legitimate” response to the Israeli attacks on civilian facilities.
The Israeli army announced it intercepted a projectile, though debris damaged a school in Ramat Gan, central Israel, without causing injuries. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the rebels “are learning and will learn the hard way that anyone who harms Israel will pay a very high price for it,” in a video released by his office Thursday.
The escalating conflict raises concerns about regional stability and the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, already one of the world’s most impoverished nations. The incident underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region and the potential for further escalation.
Israeli Airstrikes on Yemen: Expert weighs In on Escalating Conflict
Sarah Miller, Senior Editor, world-today-news.com: Welcome back to World Today, viewers. Earlier today, we brought you breaking news out of Yemen, where Israeli airstrikes on the key port of Salif and other energy facilities have reportedly killed nine civilians. Joining us now is Dr. Yasir Al-Amiri, a leading scholar on Middle Eastern conflict and security studies at the Institute for Middle Eastern Studies. Dr.Al-Amiri,thanks for joining us.
Dr. Yasir Al-Amiri: My pleasure, sarah. It’s crucial to shed light on this complex and increasingly perilous situation.
Sarah Miller: Absolutely.Can you help our audience understand the context of these airstrikes? What led to this escalation?
Dr. Yasir Al-Amiri: As you mentioned, the port of salif, along with other energy installations, has been singled out. These facilities are strategically critically important, both economically and potentially militarily. The Houthis, who control much of northern yemen including the capital Sana’a, have been accused by Israel of launching attacks against israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea. This latest incident appears to be a direct retaliation for those alleged attacks.
Sarah Miller: The Houthis claim that these airstrikes are a direct response to their targeting of Israeli infrastructure. They say they acted in self-defense.Do you think these attacks were justified?
Dr. Yasir Al-Amiri: This is the crux of the problem.The conflict presents a classic complex political and security dilemma. While Israel has the right to defend itself, the proportionality and legality of retaliatory strikes against Yemeni civilian infrastructure are debatable. The Houthis, on the other hand, have a history of using asymmetric warfare tactics, which often target civilian targets. This makes it difficult to assess who is more in the wrong.
Sarah Miller: The Israeli prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has issued a stern warning, stating that anyone who harms Israel will “pay a VERY high price.” What are the chances of this esclating further?
Dr. Yasir Al-Amiri: This rhetoric is sadly becoming all too familiar. It’s incredibly dangerous. The risk of a wider conflict pulling in regional actors increases significantly every time there’s a strike like this. Yemen is already facing a dire humanitarian crisis. This escalation will only exacerbate the suffering of the Yemeni people.
Sarah Miller:**
Dr. Al-Amiri, thank you for your invaluable insight into this complex and distressing situation. Our thoughts are with the people of Yemen.
