Israel Launches Airstrikes on Yemeni Port After Houthi Drone Attack on Tel Aviv
In a significant escalation of tensions in the region, Israel launched airstrikes on Yemen's Al Hudaydah port on July 20, 2024, killing 14 people and injuring over 90 ¹. The attack was in response to a Houthi drone strike on Tel Aviv the previous day, which killed one civilian and injured 10 others.
The Israeli airstrikes targeted a power generating station, an oil refinery, fuel storage facilities, and port cranes ¹. The attack was carried out by F-15 and F-35I fighter jets, with Boeing 707 jets providing aerial refueling ¹. The operation marked the first time Israel has directly attacked Yemen.
According to Israeli officials, the airstrikes were aimed at Houthi military targets, including weapon storage facilities ¹. However, the attack also caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, including the port's container cranes and a power plant ¹.
The Houthi movement, which controls much of Yemen, condemned the attack as "a brutal Israeli aggression" aimed at causing suffering to the Yemeni population ¹. Houthi officials vowed to retaliate against Israel and warned that the attack would only increase their determination to support the Palestinian cause.
The attack on Al Hudaydah port has raised concerns about the impact on humanitarian aid deliveries to Yemen, which is already facing a severe humanitarian crisis ¹. The port is a critical entry point for food, medicine, and fuel, and the damage caused by the airstrikes has disrupted these essential supplies.
The international community has condemned the attack, with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing deep concern over the escalation of violence ¹. The United States has also denied any involvement in the airstrikes, while reaffirming Israel's right to self-defense.
The attack on Al Hudaydah port is the latest escalation in a series of clashes between Israel and the Houthi movement, which has been backed by Iran ¹. The conflict has raised concerns about the potential for a wider regional war, with Israel and Iran engaging in a series of proxy battles across the Middle East.
The Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, is a Shia Islamist group that has controlled much of Yemen since 2014 ¹. The group has been backed by Iran and has launched a series of attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
Israel has been concerned about the growing influence of Iran in the region and has launched a series of airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria and Lebanon ¹. The conflict has raised concerns about the potential for a wider regional war, with Israel and Iran engaging in a series of proxy battles across the Middle East.
- *Israel:* Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the airstrikes were aimed at Houthi military targets and warned that Israel would not hesitate to take action against any threat to its security ¹.
- *Houthis:* Houthi spokesperson Nasruddin Amer condemned the attack as "a brutal Israeli aggression" and vowed to retaliate against Israel ¹.
- *United Nations:* Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the escalation of violence and called for restraint from all parties ¹.
- *United States:* A spokesperson for the US National Security Council denied any involvement in the airstrikes and reaffirmed Israel's right to self-defense ¹.
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