Israel Conducts Major Airstrikes in Houthi-Controlled Yemen, Escalating Regional Tensions

On September 10, 2025, Israel conducted airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, and the northern province of al-Jawf. The Israeli military reported that the strikes aimed at military camps, a fuel storage facility, and the headquarters of the Houthis' military propaganda department. Houthi media outlets reported several casualties resulting from the attacks. Witnesses indicated that the Houthi defense ministry and a command center situated between two mountains were among the targets. (reuters.com)

This escalation follows over a year of hostilities between Israel and the Iran-aligned Houthi group, which intensified amid the broader conflict stemming from the war in Gaza. The Houthis have launched drones and missiles toward Israel and attacked Red Sea vessels, claiming these actions support Palestinians. Most of their missile attacks have been intercepted, with Israel responding through ongoing strikes on Houthi-controlled areas, including the strategic port of Hodeidah. (reuters.com)

Just days prior to the September 10 airstrikes, an Israeli airstrike killed the Houthi-run government’s prime minister and other senior officials. This marked a significant escalation in the conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. (apnews.com)

The airstrikes have drawn international attention and concern. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed sanctions and a partial trade suspension against Israel due to its actions in Gaza, highlighting growing international disapproval. Her announcement followed a deadly Israeli strike in Qatar, aimed at Hamas leaders, that has further strained regional diplomacy. (apnews.com)

The ongoing conflict has had severe humanitarian consequences. In Gaza, continued Israeli strikes have killed 41 people, with five deaths linked to malnutrition, raising the toll to 404 since the war's onset. Israel’s targeting of a Gaza City high-rise prompted warnings, but many Palestinians remain displaced and vulnerable. (apnews.com)

The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, are a Zaidi Shia Muslim movement that emerged in the 1990s in northern Yemen. They have been engaged in a prolonged conflict with the Yemeni government and its allies, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The group has received support from Iran, leading to accusations of being an Iranian proxy. The Houthis have been in control of Yemen's capital, Sanaa, since 2014.

Israel has a history of conducting military operations beyond its borders, particularly targeting groups it considers threats to its national security. The recent airstrikes in Yemen are part of a broader strategy to counteract perceived Iranian influence in the region and to prevent attacks on Israeli territory.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated, "I suggest the leaders of the Houthis to see, to understand and remember: Whoever raises a hand against the state of Israel, his hand will be cut off. Whoever harms us, will be harmed sevenfold." (apnews.com)

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesman, said the strikes hit energy and port infrastructure, which he alleged the rebels "have been using in ways that effectively contributed to their military action." (apnews.com)

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed sanctions and a partial trade suspension against Israel due to its actions in Gaza. (apnews.com)

The Houthis have been designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States and Saudi Arabia.

This is not the first time Israel has conducted airstrikes in Yemen. In July 2024, Israel carried out airstrikes in response to a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv, which killed one person and injured ten others.

The recent Israeli airstrikes in Yemen represent a significant escalation in the conflict between Israel and the Houthi rebels. As international reactions unfold, the potential for further destabilization in the region remains high, underscoring the need for diplomatic efforts to address the underlying causes of the conflict.