Following Houthi Attacks, Israel Again Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen

Latest Developments

Israeli warplanes struck Houthi targets in Yemen on September 29 in retaliation for recent long-range Houthi attacks on Israel.

The daylight attack involved dozens of Israeli aircraft, including refuelling tankers and surveillance planes, and struck Houthi targets at Hudaydah port and nearby Ras Isa port, the IDF said. The targets included power stations and port facilities used to transfer oil, Iranian arms, and military supplies for the Iranian-backed Yemeni terrorist group.

Israel struck Hudaydah port once before, on July 20, in retaliation for a July 19 Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv that killed an Israeli man.

The latest sorties followed sustained Houthis launches against the southern Israeli city of Eilat and, on September 28, the firing of a ballistic missile in the direction of Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. The Houthis claimed they were aiming at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he returned from his trip to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly.

Expert Analysis

“Israel is moving quickly to establish deterrence not only among next-door terrorist armies like Hamas and Hezbollah, but the distant Houthis. Unlike on July 20, this time the IDF also appears to have struck a floating terminal at Ras Isa, signaling an expansion of Houthi targets. It would be even better if the Biden-Harris administration gave the green light to CENTCOM to hit IRGC-controlled ports and spy ships responsible for the Iranian and Houthi war to shut down the Red Sea.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“Israel is sending an unequivocal message to the Houthis: The Jewish State will not stand idle while the Iran-backed group threatens major population centers. The lethality and scale of Israel’s response to Houthi aggression will only intensify, ensuring that any attacks will come at a considerable cost to the group. In this context, the United States should take note of Israel’s recent successes against elements of the so-called Axis of Resistance and collaborate more with State of Israel to hold accountable those who threaten the interests of both nations.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“In Long-Range Strike, Israel Bombs Houthi Port in Retaliation for Tel Aviv Drone Attack,” FDD Flash Brief

“Houthis Missile Fired at Central Israel, Intercepted by Arrow System,” FDD Flash Brief

“Houthis Missile Fragments Strike Central Israel,” FDD Flash Brief

“10 Things to Know About the Houthis,” FDD Insight