Israeli Airstrikes in Yemen Kill at Least 3, Wound 87, Houthis Claim
In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Israeli airstrikes struck Yemen on Wednesday, killing at least three people and injuring 87 others, according to the Houthi rebels who control much of the country. The attack comes just a day after a drone attack in Tel Aviv, which was attributed to the Houthis.
The airstrikes targeted several locations in the capital city of Sanaa, including the residence of the Houthi leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi. The group’s spokesperson, Mohammed Abdelsalam, confirmed the casualties and vowed to retaliate against Israel.
"We will not be deterred by these cowardly attacks," Abdelsalam said in a statement. "We will continue to defend our country and our people against these aggressions."
The Israeli military has not officially commented on the strikes, but a senior official was quoted by Israeli media as saying that the country was "prepared for any scenario" in Yemen.
The Houthis, who are allied with Iran, have been engaged in a brutal civil war against the Yemeni government and its Saudi-led coalition backers for years. The conflict has caused widespread devastation and led to a humanitarian crisis, with millions of people in need of food, shelter, and medical care.
The recent escalation in tensions between Israel and the Houthis began on Tuesday, when a drone attack struck a military base in Tel Aviv, causing no casualties but sparking widespread panic. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was in response to Israel’s alleged support for the Saudi-led coalition.
Israel has been increasingly involved in the Yemen conflict, providing military aid and intelligence to the Saudi-led coalition. The country has also been accused of carrying out airstrikes in Yemen, although it has denied responsibility for most of them.
The situation in Yemen remains highly volatile, with the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition engaged in a fragile ceasefire. The international community has been pushing for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but so far, efforts have been unsuccessful.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, the risk of further escalation and conflict remains high. The United Nations has called for an immediate end to hostilities and for all parties to return to the negotiating table.
In the meantime, the people of Yemen are caught in the middle of the conflict, struggling to survive in a country ravaged by war. The international community must continue to pressure all parties to find a peaceful solution and to provide humanitarian aid to those in need.
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/07/20/middleeast/yemen-israel-strikes-hodeidah-intl