The Houthi-controlled port of Hodeida in western Yemen was targeted by the Israeli Air Force (IAF) on Saturday. This action came in response to a drone attack launched by the Iran-backed group on Tel Aviv, resulting in the death of an Israeli civilian.
The Israeli military stated that fighter aircraft struck military targets belonging to the Houthi terror regime in the vicinity of the Hodeida Port in Yemen. This was a retaliatory measure against the numerous attacks carried out against Israel in recent months.
This marked the first instance of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducting strikes in Yemen, with the operation being named “Operation Long Arm” by the IDF.
The objective of the IAF strike on the port was to hinder the Houthis from importing Iranian weapons and to inflict financial damage on the Iran-backed rebels.
The Israeli military emphasized that the port in the Houthi-controlled city has been utilized for bringing in weapons from Iran, justifying it as a legitimate military target.
The Times of Israel reported that at least a dozen IAF aircraft, including F-35 stealth fighters, F-15 fighters, reconnaissance aircraft and refuelling planes were involved in the strike — the latter of which was due to the target being some 1,700 kilometres (1,000 miles) from Israel.
Since November, Houthi forces have been engaging in aggressive actions against ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, carrying out drone and missile attacks on vessels traversing crucial shipping lanes. The rebel group, supported by Iran, holds significant control over Yemen and has previously stated that their assaults target ships associated with Israel, as a response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
