Israel says it struck Houthi energy site in Yemen

Israel confirmed on Sunday that its military carried out an airstrike on what it described as an “energy infrastructure site” in Yemen controlled by the Houthi movement. The strike marks the latest escalation against the Iran-backed group, which has launched multiple attacks on Israel since the outbreak of the Gaza war last October.

Target in Houthi-Controlled Territory

In a statement, the Israeli military said its forces struck “deep inside Yemen, targeting an energy infrastructure site that served the Houthi terrorist regime.” The location was not explicitly identified, but Houthi media offered details. Al-Masirah TV, citing local civil defense officials, reported that the strike hit the Haziz power plant, located south of the capital, Sanaa.

So far, no casualties have been reported following the strike.

Houthi Campaign Against Israel

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza in October 2023, Houthi forces have regularly launched drones and missiles toward Israeli territory, presenting their campaign as support for the Palestinian cause. Most of these projectiles have been intercepted, but Israel has responded with a series of retaliatory strikes on Houthi-controlled sites inside Yemen.

The Israeli military explained that the latest attack was “a response to repeated attacks” carried out by the Houthis. Just days earlier, on Thursday, Israel intercepted a missile fired from Yemen—a strike for which the Houthis later claimed responsibility.

Wider Regional Impact

The Houthis’ activities have not been limited to direct attacks on Israel. The group has also targeted ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden that it claims are linked to Israel. In recent months, these attacks expanded to include vessels associated with the United States and the United Kingdom, after both countries launched joint military operations in January 2024 to safeguard international shipping lanes.

A brief ceasefire deal was reached in May between the Houthis and the United States, halting weeks of heavy U.S. airstrikes in Yemen. However, the group has remained defiant, declaring that while it would scale back direct confrontation with Washington, it would continue to target Israeli-linked ships.

What This Means Going Forward

The latest strike underscores Israel’s determination to push back against the Houthis’ campaign while adding another layer of complexity to the region’s overlapping conflicts. With the Gaza war continuing, and Houthi operations affecting maritime trade routes vital to global commerce, the situation risks drawing more regional and international powers deeper into the confrontation.