Night of bombings in the Middle East. Israel struck Yemen in response to the Houthi missile attack which took place during the night towards the territory of the Jewish state. Israeli forces have launched a series of air strikes on the Yemeni capital Sanaa and the Hodeida area, targeting Yemeni rebels' ports and energy infrastructure. Israel said it struck “military targets” belonging to Yemen's Houthi rebels after intercepting a missile fired by the rebel group. At the moment the number of civilians killed is unknown and the toll is provisional: nine people are said to have died, of which seven at the port of Salif and the other two at the Ras Issa oil plant, in the western province of Hodeidah. Losses among the rebels would be significant.
“The IDF – reads a note from the Defense Forces – conducted precise attacks on Houthi military targets in Yemen, including ports and energy infrastructures in Sanaa, which the Houthis have used in various ways for military purposes”. According to the Israeli army, dozens of aircraft, including fighters, refuelers and spy planes, took part in the attacks against Yemen. Tel Aviv's counteroffensive began after the Israeli army intercepted a ballistic missile coming from Yemen, causing sirens to sound throughout Israel. The missile was intercepted by the Arrow long-range air defense system.
Iran's condemnation is harsh, deeming the Israeli air strikes a “flagrant violation of international law”. This was stated in a statement by the spokesperson of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Esmail Baghai, who also condemned the “unconditional support of the United States” given to Israel. The Houthis are part of the “resistance axis”, a collection of militias and armed groups active in Middle Eastern countries that operate on behalf of Iran or have interests in some way aligned with those of Iran. The Lebanese paramilitary group Hezbollah, which operates in the Gaza Strip, is present in the axis.
