The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a precision military operation on the Red Sea ports of Yemen, Hodeidah and Salif, aiming to dismantle the Houthi group’s strategic assets. This marks a significant escalation in the growing tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed Houthis, who have launched dozens of missiles and drones toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza.
The IDF identified that the targeted ports played a crucial role in the Houthi group’s arms logistics. “The IDF struck and destroyed terrorist infrastructure facilities of the Houthi terrorist regime at the Hudaydah and Salif Ports in Yemen,” stated an Israeli military statement. “These ports serve for transferring weapons and are yet another manifestation of the Houthis’ systematic and cynical exploitation of civilian infrastructure for the furtherance of terrorist activity.
🤬l’armée de l’air israélienne (FDI) a mené une série de frappes aériennes sur les ports de Salif et de Hodeida, dans la province de Hodeida, sur la côte ouest du Yémen contrôlée par les Houthis du mouvement Ansar Allah, a rapporté la chaîne de télévision yéménite Al Masirah. pic.twitter.com/no8tzpyZmv
— Bien mal a qui ne profite jamais, ne l’oubliez pas (@tom548406612159) May 16, 2025
Human Casualties and Local Response
The Houthi health ministry confirmed that the Israeli strikes killed one person and injured nine others, despite warnings urging civilians to evacuate. Residents in Hodeidah described loud explosions and billowing smoke, creating a dire image of the conflict unfolding.
Leadership Under Fire: Netanyahu’s Warning
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz jointly warned the Houthis. “If the Houthis keep firing missiles at the State of Israel, they will be badly injured, and we will also damage the leaders,” they declared. They further indicated that they could target Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi, drawing a comparison with Hamas’ Yahya Sinwar and Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah.
Houthi Defiance and Regional Implications
But the Houthis do not back down. Senior leader Mohammed Ali al-Houthi dismissed the threats as “illusions” and accused Israel of setting “unattainable objectives” to buy time. As one of Iran’s leading members of its “Axis of Resistance” coalition, along with Hamas and Hezbollah, the Houthis hold dominion over a broad majority of Yemen’s people and land.
Ever since the IDF began its March 18 retaliation in Gaza, the Houthis have fired 34 ballistic missiles and a minimum of 10 drones towards Israel. Although Israeli defenses downed most of them or they fell short of the target, the symbolic violence has further fueled regional instability.
