Yemen's Houthi Rebels Claim Responsibility for Drone Attack on Israeli Oil Facility Near Tel Aviv
In a significant escalation of tensions in the region, Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a drone attack on an Israeli oil facility near Tel Aviv. The attack, which occurred on December 22, 2024, targeted a major oil storage facility in the city of Ashdod, located about 30 kilometers south of Tel Aviv.
According to reports, the attack was carried out using a Sammad-3 drone, a type of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by the Houthis. The drone is believed to have been launched from Yemeni territory and flown over 1,500 kilometers to reach its target in Israel.
The attack on the oil facility caused significant damage and sparked a large fire, which was eventually brought under control by Israeli emergency services. While there were no reports of casualties, the attack has raised concerns about the potential for future attacks on Israeli infrastructure.
The Houthi rebels, who have been fighting a brutal civil war in Yemen against a Saudi-led coalition since 2015, have a history of launching attacks on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. However, this is the first time they have claimed responsibility for an attack on Israeli territory.
In a statement released on social media, the Houthi rebels claimed that the attack was a response to Israel's "aggression" against the Palestinian people and its support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. The statement also warned of further attacks on Israeli targets if the country continues to support the coalition.
The Israeli government has condemned the attack and vowed to take action against those responsible. In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the attack was a "serious escalation" of tensions in the region and promised to "take all necessary measures" to protect Israeli citizens and infrastructure.
The attack has also sparked concerns about the potential for a wider conflict in the region. The United States, which has been providing military support to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, has condemned the attack and called for restraint from all parties.
In a statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the attack was a "serious concern" and urged all parties to "avoid actions that could escalate tensions" in the region. The statement also reiterated US support for Israel's right to self-defense and called for an end to Houthi attacks on Israeli and Saudi targets.
The attack on the Israeli oil facility has raised questions about the effectiveness of Israel's air defenses and the potential for future attacks on Israeli infrastructure. It has also sparked concerns about the potential for a wider conflict in the region, particularly given the involvement of the US and other international powers in the conflict in Yemen.
- The Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, have been fighting a brutal civil war in Yemen against a Saudi-led coalition since 2015.
- The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread destruction, with millions of Yemenis displaced or in need of humanitarian assistance.
- The Houthi rebels have a history of launching attacks on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, but this is the first time they have claimed responsibility for an attack on Israeli territory.
- _Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:_ "The attack on the oil facility is a serious escalation of tensions in the region. We will take all necessary measures to protect Israeli citizens and infrastructure."
- _US Secretary of State Antony Blinken:_ "The attack is a serious concern. We urge all parties to avoid actions that could escalate tensions in the region."
- _Houthi Rebel Spokesperson:_ "The attack on the oil facility is a response to Israel's aggression against the Palestinian people and its support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. We will continue to target Israeli and Saudi targets until our demands are met."
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