In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Iranian-backed Houthi regime in Yemen, Israeli military forces launched a precision strike overnight targeting one of Yemen’s most critical energy facilities. The operation, which unfolded between Saturday night and Sunday morning, saw powerful explosions rock the southern outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, plunging parts of the city into darkness and sending a clear message to Iran’s regional proxy network.
According to Reuters and The Times of Israel, Israeli naval forces executed the attack from approximately 2,000 kilometers away, marking only the second time that the Israeli Navy has struck targets deep within Yemen. The strike specifically targeted the Haziz power station, a facility under Houthi control that provides essential electricity to the capital and its surrounding areas. Local sources and Houthi-affiliated media confirmed that the attack disabled multiple generators at the facility, resulting in widespread—though temporary—electrical outages across Sanaa.
In the immediate aftermath, emergency responders rushed to the scene to extinguish fires caused by the explosions. Civil defense officials, speaking to Houthi-controlled outlets, described the event as an act of "aggression" and reported that teams were working through the night to restore power and prevent further damage. Video footage circulating on Arab social media showed the charred remains of the power station and the extent of the blackout enveloping parts of the city.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) publicly acknowledged responsibility for the operation. In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), an IDF spokesperson explained, "The strike was in response to repeated Houthi missile and UAV attacks on Israel. Directed & funded by Iran, the Houthis exploit the seas to threaten Israel and global trade." The spokesperson further emphasized that the attack was part of a broader campaign to deter further aggression from the Houthis, who have intensified their attacks on Israel since late 2023.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched a barrage of ballistic missiles, surface-to-surface rockets, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) toward Israel. The attacks escalated sharply after the October 7 Hamas massacre, with the Houthis declaring their intent to target both Israeli territory and maritime traffic in the Red Sea. Their slogan, which calls for "Death to America, Death to Israel, [and] a Curse on the Jews," leaves little doubt about their ideological motivations. According to The Times of Israel, the Houthis had paused their attacks during a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in January 2025 but resumed hostilities in March after the IDF restarted its offensive in Gaza.
Since March 18, 2025, the Houthis have fired 69 ballistic missiles and at least 22 drones at Israel, according to Israeli military sources. While many of these projectiles have fallen short or been intercepted, one missile did kill a civilian and wound several others in Tel Aviv in July—an incident that prompted Israel’s first direct strike in Yemen. The most recent Houthi attack on Israel occurred just days ago, on Thursday morning, when a ballistic missile was intercepted before it could cause any damage.
Sunday’s strike on the Haziz power station represents the fourteenth time Israel has targeted Houthi positions in Yemen since the beginning of their campaign. Most previous operations were carried out by Israeli Air Force fighter jets, with the last strike in July being the first to use an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). However, this latest mission marks only the second use of Israeli Navy missile boats in Yemen, following a similar naval strike on the Houthi-controlled Hodeida port in June 2025.
The June operation, dubbed "Operation Long Braid," targeted engineering equipment, fuel storage tanks, and vessels at Hodeida port that were believed to be used for military activities and force projection against Israel and international shipping. According to Israel Hayom, the earlier strikes aimed to cripple the Houthis’ ability to launch attacks on maritime traffic and disrupt their logistical networks. The most recent operation appears to be a continuation of this strategy, focusing on undermining the Houthis’ capacity to sustain their military campaign by hitting critical infrastructure.
Israeli security sources, speaking to Reuters, stressed that the precision strike was intended not just as retaliation but as a deterrent against further aggression. "This operation sends a clear message to Iran’s proxy network in the region," one official remarked, alluding to the broader geopolitical stakes in the ongoing shadow war between Israel and Iran. The Houthis, for their part, have long been regarded as a linchpin in Iran’s efforts to exert influence across the Middle East, especially by threatening key maritime routes and destabilizing neighboring states.
Despite the scale of the explosions and the temporary blackout in Sanaa, there were no immediate reports of civilian casualties. Local media reported that fires caused by the attack were brought under control relatively quickly, and efforts to restore electricity were underway by Sunday afternoon. Still, the psychological impact on the city’s residents was palpable, with many expressing fear and uncertainty about the prospect of further attacks.
The international community has watched the escalating tit-for-tat with growing concern. The ongoing conflict threatens not only regional stability but also the security of vital global trade routes passing through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb strait. The Houthis’ repeated use of drones and missiles to target shipping has already prompted warnings from international maritime organizations and led to increased naval patrols by Western allies in the region.
For Israel, the calculus is clear: deter Houthi aggression at its source, disrupt Iran’s regional ambitions, and safeguard both its citizens and international shipping lanes. For the Houthis and their Iranian patrons, every attack and every response is part of a larger struggle for influence and survival in a region riven by sectarian and strategic rivalries.
As the dust settles over Sanaa and emergency crews work to restore normalcy, both sides appear determined to continue their campaigns. With each strike and counterstrike, the risk of a broader regional conflagration grows—a prospect that has diplomats and analysts alike on edge.
In a region where alliances shift and grievances run deep, last night’s strike on the Haziz power station is unlikely to be the final chapter. But for now, it stands as a stark reminder of the high stakes and human costs in the shadow war between Israel and its adversaries.
