On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Israeli jets launched a series of airstrikes targeting multiple sites in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, including the main international airport, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed has been completely disabled. This military action comes as a direct response to a recent missile strike by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels that struck near Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport, injuring four people.
The IDF announced that their fighter jets dismantled Houthi terrorist infrastructure at the airport within a mere 15 minutes, hitting several key facilities including power stations and a cement plant located around Amran. According to the Houthi-run Ministry of Health, at least one person was killed and three others injured in the airport attack.
Earlier in the day, the IDF had issued an evacuation warning for the airport, marking the first time such a notification had been released for Yemen, which lies over 1,000 miles from Israel. IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee urged people to evacuate, stating, "Failure to evacuate and stay away from the place exposes you to danger." This warning underscored the seriousness of the situation as tensions escalated rapidly between Israel and the Houthis.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate against the Houthi missile strike that occurred on Sunday, May 4, 2025, which had successfully penetrated Israel’s air defenses. Netanyahu stated, "We acted before, we will act in the future too. I can’t elaborate all of that. The US, in coordination with us, is also operating against them. It’s not ‘one and done’ - but there will be hits.”
The Houthi leadership responded defiantly, with Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a prominent Houthi leader, vowing to meet escalation with escalation. He warned on Al Arabiya TV that there are still multiple sensitive targets within Israel that could lead to significant losses for the nation. This marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, as the Houthis have pledged to impose a comprehensive air blockade on Israel by repeatedly targeting its airports.
The recent missile strike on Ben Gurion Airport was particularly alarming, as it marked the first time a Houthi missile had come so close to Tel Aviv since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. The Houthis, who have regularly launched drones and missiles toward Israel, claim to be acting in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In the wake of the missile strike, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes on Monday, May 5, targeting the port city of Hodeida and a nearby cement factory, resulting in at least one death and 35 injuries according to Houthi health officials. The IDF reported that over 20 fighter jets participated in this mission, dropping more than 50 munitions on various Houthi targets.
The Hodeida port is crucial for the Houthis, serving as a key entry point for humanitarian aid and a hub for the transfer of weapons and military equipment from Iran. The Israeli military alleged that the port was being used to facilitate these transfers, further complicating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
Following the airstrikes, Houthi officials condemned the attacks as "aggressive Zionist-American raids on civilian facilities," vowing that they would not deter Houthi military operations. Nasruddin Amer, head of the Houthi media office, stated, "The naval and air blockade on the enemy entity will not be lifted until the aggression stops and the siege on Gaza is lifted. This aggression will be responded to."
As the situation continues to develop, the international community watches closely. The escalation of hostilities between Israel and the Houthis raises concerns about the potential for wider conflict in the region. The Houthis, who have gained significant control over parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, have positioned themselves as a formidable adversary against Israel, leveraging their missile capabilities to challenge the Israeli military.
In summary, the recent airstrikes on Sanaa’s airport signal a marked escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Houthi rebels. With both sides vowing to retaliate, the potential for further violence looms large, prompting fears of a broader regional confrontation.
