Israel conducted airstrikes in Yemen on Thursday, marking a heightened escalation in the ongoing conflict with Iran and its proxies. The targeted sites included power stations and the airport, as Israelis in densely populated areas face frequent rocket attacks from the Houthi militia in Yemen. The strikes occurred amidst a lull in attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon and decreased threats from Hamas in Gaza.
The World Health Organization’s executive director, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was present at the airport in Sana’a during the airstrike, which resulted in injuries to a WHO staff member. Ghebreyesus, who was in Yemen to assess the status of detainees held by the Houthis, called for their release.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framed the attack as emblematic of the ongoing Hanukkah holiday, referring to Israel as the modern-day Maccabees. He emphasized Israel’s determination to dismantle the terrorist arm of Iran’s influence.
Israel has recently dealt significant blows to Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as directly targeting Iran in response to missile attacks. With the fall of the Assad regime in Syria weakening Iran’s support network, the Houthis in Yemen have emerged as a prominent proxy of Iran, showcasing their ability to strike within Israeli territory.
The Biden administration, which removed the terrorist designation of the Houthis in 2021, has faced increased pressure to address the group’s aggressive actions. As multinational efforts target the Houthis for their attacks on Red Sea vessels, Israel’s latest strikes in Yemen come at a crucial time as the Biden administration seeks to reduce conflict in the Middle East before the end of Biden’s term.
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