Israel struck multiple targets linked to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen on Thursday (Dec 26), including Sana’a International Airport, and Houthi media said at least six people were killed.
The Israeli military said that in addition to striking the airport, it also hit military infrastructure at the ports of Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Kanatib on Yemen’s west coast. It also attacked the country’s Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations.
The Houthi-controlled Saba news agency said that three people were killed in the strikes on the airport three were killed in Hodeidah, and 40 others were wounded in the attacks.
Later on Thursday, the Houthis said they were ready to respond quickly to the attack and meet “escalation with escalation”, Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported.
Houthis have repeatedly fired drones and missiles towards Israel in what they describe as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Following the attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview that Israel was only at the beginning of its campaign against the Houthis. “We are just getting started with them,” he said.
The prime minister has been strengthened at home by the Israeli military’s campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon and by its destruction of most of the Syrian army’s strategic weapons.
The Israeli attacks on the airport, Hodeidah and on one power station, were also reported by Al Masirah TV.
