Israel Launches Major Airstrikes on Houthi-Controlled Ports in Yemen

The IDF confirmed Friday that it launched a devastating round of airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled ports of Hodeidah and Salif. According to a military statement, the operation was in retaliation for recent missile and drone attacks launched by the Iran-backed Houthi terror group against Israel.

A total of fifteen Israeli fighter jets took part in the mission, deploying approximately 35 precision munitions on the targeted ports. Support aircraft, including refueling tankers and surveillance planes, were also involved in the operation.

The IDF stated that the objective of the attack was to neutralize the strategic use of the ports by the Houthis. This move aims to block the flow of Iranian weaponry and deliver a financial blow to the terrorist group.

“These ports are used for the transfer of weapons and are another example of the cynical exploitation of civilian infrastructure by the Houthi terror regime to advance terror,” the military emphasized.

These ports, along with Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport, have been previously hit by Israeli strikes. The military explained that the ongoing attacks are designed to further impair the Houthis’ capacity to conduct terrorism.

Earlier this week, the IDF issued warnings urging civilians to evacuate Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Isa ports in western Yemen. While Ras Isa was not hit in the latest operation, the military reiterated its call for civilians to stay away from all three sites.

“In light of the Houthi terror regime’s use of these ports for terror purposes, the IDF reiterates its warning to those present at the ports to distance themselves and evacuate the area,” the IDF stated.

A defense source told Army Radio that Israel delayed its counterattack until after U.S. President Trump concluded his regional visit. Since Israel’s last strike on May 6, the Houthis have reportedly launched at least seven missiles and two drones at Israeli territory.

The IDF believes the Houthis will need about a month to rebuild the damaged ports. The strikes are part of a broader response to continued aerial assaults by the group.

During the strike, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir monitored the operation from the Air Force’s underground command center.

Katz issued a stark warning, threatening to strike Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi if attacks on Israel persist.

“The IDF now struck and severely damaged the ports in Yemen that are under the control of the Houthi terror group. The airport in Sanaa also remains destroyed,” Katz posted on X.

“As we said, if the Houthis continue to fire missiles on Israel, they will suffer painful blows, and we will also strike the heads of terror just as we did to Deif and the Sinwars in Gaza, to Nasrallah in Beirut and Haniyeh in Tehran,” he added, referencing previous Israeli operations targeting leaders of the Hamas and Hezbollah terror groups.

Although the death of Hamas Gaza leader Muhammad Sinwar has not been officially confirmed, Katz made clear that Israel would extend its reach.

“We will hunt down and eliminate Abdul-Malik al-Houthi in Yemen as well.” Katz concluded.