‘On Behalf of the Entire International Community’: IDF Strikes Sana’a as Houthi Rebels in Yemen Target Tel Aviv

Latest Developments

Israeli Warplanes Hit Yemeni Capital: The Israeli Air Force carried out “precise strikes” on December 19 against military targets in Houthi rebel-controlled areas of Yemen, including the capital city of Sana’a. The IDF said that the strikes were aimed at harming the Iran-backed Houthi “terrorist regime” and “preventing the exploitation” of infrastructure for “military and terrorist” purposes, including smuggling illegal weapons shipments from Iran. IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said that the attack involved 14 military aircraft and was carried out in two waves, first targeting ports in the coastal Yemeni towns of Salif and Ras Issa, followed by strikes on energy infrastructure in Sana’a, where the Houthi-controlled news outlet al-Masirah TV said that fuel depots belonging to two central power stations were damaged.
Missile Downed but Israeli School Destroyed: While the IDF was striking Yemen, the Houthis launched a ballistic missile at Tel Aviv, the latest of hundreds of attacks against Israel by the terrorist organization since regional war erupted in the wake of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, atrocities. Israel’s air defense array intercepted the missile, but its intact warhead remained and struck a school in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, causing an estimated $11 million of damage but resulting in no injuries.
Last Proxy Standing: After the IDF strikes in Yemen, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the Houthis as “almost the last arm of Iran’s axis of evil,” following the IDF’s severe degradation of Iranian proxies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Netanyahu added that Israel would exact a “very heavy price” from the Houthis if its attacks on Israel continued. Netanyahu pointed out that the Houthis are “are not just attacking” Israel but “the entire world. They are attacking the international shipping lanes. Thus, when Israel takes action against the Houthis, it is acting on behalf of the entire international community,”

FDD Expert Response

“Over the last 14 months of Israel’s multifront war, friend and foe alike have learned to take the warnings and assurances from Jerusalem seriously. Right after October 7, no one would have believed that Hamas’s military capabilities would be decimated, Iran’s strategic air defenses destroyed, and Hezbollah would be on the ropes, leading to the fall of a half-century of Assad family rule in neighboring Syria. Unprecedented events happen thanks to efforts of the Israeli military.” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“It’s notable that while the Biden administration has limited its responses to certain military facilities it deems will avoid further escalation, Israel continues to strike back against Houthi critical infrastructure in a manner that is unafraid of escalation. Degrading and deterring the Houthis from continuing attacks on the Red Sea will be a high priority for the incoming Trump administration — and all U.S. adversaries will be judging the new president by how he responds.” — Richard Goldberg, Senior Advisor

“While multiple links in the Iranian axis have been severely degraded, destroyed, or deterred in the past 14 months, the Iran-backed Houthis have increased their attacks. Israel should continue to work with the United States and regional allies to deal decisive blows to the terrorists, and President-elect Trump should prioritize relisting the Houthis as a foreign terror organization as soon as he returns to the White House.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director, Israel Program & Senior Director, National Security

“The Houthis refuse to halt their aggression against Israel even after a ceasefire was implemented that ended Hezbollah’s attacks against Israel’s northern communities. This shows they are not deterred by Israel’s depletion of their fellow proxies and that only force will make them understand that Israel is serious about protecting its civilians.” — Seth J. Frantzman, Adjunct Fellow