JUST IN: Israel Launches ‘Operation Black Flag’ Against Houthis in Yemen

Israel launched airstrikes on Houthi-held parts of Yemen, hitting three ports and a critical power station.

The Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, confirmed the attack and listed Hudaydah, Ras Isa, and Saif ports as targets.

Israeli forces also struck the Ras Kanatib power plant, which supplies electricity to Ibb and Taizz cities in Yemen.

Israel accused the Houthis of using these sites to support attacks and transfer weapons from Iran.

Katz said the Houthis would “continue to pay a heavy price” for targeting Israel and threatening its shipping lanes.

He declared the operation as part of “Operation Black Flag” and issued a warning to Iran-backed groups.

“Anyone who tries to harm Israel will be harmed. Anyone who lifts a hand will lose it,” Katz said.

Israel targeted the Galaxy Leader, a ship hijacked in 2023, allegedly used by Houthis to monitor maritime activity.

Shortly after the airstrikes, Houthi forces fired two missiles at Israel, triggering sirens in multiple regions.

Israel’s military said air defences responded to the launches and are still reviewing the interception results.

Houthi spokespersons claimed their air defence systems used multiple locally-made surface-to-air missiles to repel Israel’s airstrikes.

Houthi-run media confirmed the strikes on Hudaydah but gave no updates on damage or casualties.

Israel accused the Houthis of storing and transferring weapons at the bombed ports for attacks on Israel and allies.

Israeli officials said the Houthis were using Iranian arms to coordinate terror plots from Yemeni territory.

The Israeli Air Force claimed the attacks were necessary to protect national security and ensure maritime safety.

Since October 2023, Houthis have attacked Israel and Red Sea vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

The Houthis have launched drones and missiles from Yemen at Israel multiple times in recent months.

Hudaydah port, a key humanitarian hub, has now suffered repeated Israeli strikes in the past three months.

International observers fear these attacks could worsen Yemen’s humanitarian crisis and fuel further regional instability.

Tensions in the Red Sea remain high as Israel expands strikes beyond Gaza and Lebanon into Yemeni territory.

This strike signals Israel’s intent to directly confront Iranian-backed groups across the Middle East.

Israel says it will keep targeting any group or infrastructure that threatens its people or global shipping.

This conflict continues to evolve rapidly, pulling in new actors and escalating across regional borders.

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