JERUSALEM — Israel launched a series of powerful airstrikes on Yemen’s capital Tuesday, targeting key Houthi rebel infrastructure including Sanaa International Airport and multiple power plants, in a sweeping show of force following a weekend missile strike that reached the outskirts of Tel Aviv.
Black smoke was seen billowing across the skyline of the Houthi-controlled capital as explosions rocked several areas, prompting officials at the main airport to evacuate the facility. The Israel Defense Forces said the operation was aimed at disrupting the Houthis’ ability to move weapons and fighters, accusing the group of using the airport as a logistical hub.
“We urge you to immediately evacuate the area of the airport and to warn anyone nearby to distance themselves immediately,” said IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee in a statement posted to social media, accompanied by a map of the targeted site.
In addition to disabling the airport, Israeli forces also struck several power stations and a cement factory north of Sanaa, which the military described as dual-use facilities exploited by the Houthis for their war effort. The extent of the damage remained unclear, and there were no immediate reports of casualties from Tuesday’s strikes.
The strikes followed an earlier wave of air assaults on Monday, when Israeli warplanes dropped approximately 50 munitions on the port of Hodeidah and a concrete factory in nearby Bajil. According to the Houthi-run Ministry of Health, those attacks left five dead and wounded 74 others. The IDF said both targets were linked to Houthi operations, calling them “strongholds” that facilitated weapons trafficking and funding for the group.
Israel’s latest actions come in direct retaliation for a Houthi missile that struck near Ben Gurion Airport over the weekend, injuring four people and escalating concerns about regional security. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of “swift and repeated” reprisals against the Iran-backed rebels.
Tuesday’s airstrikes represent the most significant Israeli offensive in Yemen since a joint operation with the United States and United Kingdom in January. The conflict in Yemen has intensified since Israel’s ground campaign in Gaza began in November 2023, with Houthi forces conducting repeated attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea in what they describe as support for Hamas.
The strikes have added pressure to an already volatile region, where President Donald Trump has launched his own air campaign against the Houthis since mid-March, seeking to protect global shipping routes and counter Iranian influence.
The situation remains tense as Israel signals its intent to maintain a firm military posture in the face of ongoing threats, widening the scope of a war that continues to ripple across the Middle East.
