SANAA, May 6 (NNN-YPA) – Israeli warplanes conducted dozens of airstrikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah province yesterday, killing at least two people and wounding 42 others, according to health authorities run by the Houthis.
The strikes caused significant damage to infrastructure, including a port, airport, and factories, escalating regional tensions, a day after the Houthis claimed a missile attack near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, which resulted in eight injuries.
Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah TV reported 48 airstrikes targeted the Red Sea province, striking the port city of Hodeidah, its airport, a cement factory, and military sites north-east of the city. Health officials linked to the Houthis said, the casualties included workers at the factory and residents in the adjacent Bajil district.
Local residents said that, the strikes severely damaged infrastructure at the port, including cargo-handling facilities, and several private factories were also hit. Plumes of smoke were seen rising over the city, and residents described the attack as paralysing daily life.
In a statement, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the operation, saying, approximately 20 warplanes struck Houthi targets along Yemen’s western coast, using 50 precision-guided munitions. The targets, the IDF said, included what it called the “infrastructure of the Houthi terror regime.” The mission was conducted about 1,700 km from Israel.
The Houthis claimed the attacks on Hodeidah were carried out jointly by the United States and Israel. The IDF statement made no mention of U.S. involvement.
The IDF said the strikes were “in response to repeated assaults by the Houthis against the Israeli regime,” referencing recent missile and drone attacks.
The strikes on Hodeidah directly impacted the port, which serves as a critical lifeline for goods, medicine, and fuel to millions of people living in Houthi-controlled areas. These attacks threaten to further disrupt the already fragile humanitarian situation in Yemen.
Separately, Al-Masirah and local sources reported, at least 20 U.S. airstrikes yesterday, targeting Houthi-controlled sites in the capital Sanaa, as well as, in the northern provinces of Marib and Al-Jawf. There was no immediate comment from U.S. Central Command.
The escalation follows a Houthi-claimed missile strike on Sunday near Ben Gurion Airport, outside Tel Aviv. Eight people were wounded, and airport operations were briefly halted. Israeli officials acknowledged that missile defence systems had failed to intercept the projectile despite multiple attempts.
The Houthis said, the strike was retaliation for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, including Sanaa and Hodeidah, have repeatedly launched missiles and drones towards Israel and Red Sea shipping lanes in recent months. They say, the attacks are in solidarity with the Palestinians and will continue until Israel ends its offensive in Gaza and allows unfettered humanitarian access.– NNN-YPA
