The Israeli military has executed airstrikes on Houthi targets in Sanaa, Yemen, in retaliation for a missile attack that allegedly utilized cluster bombs. The operation resulted in casualties and has intensified regional tensions amid the ongoing conflict.
Israel Strikes Back: Retaliation Against Houthis Following Cluster Bomb Attack
Israel Strikes Back: Retaliation Against Houthis Following Cluster Bomb Attack
Israel launches targeted airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen after their reported use of cluster munitions in attacks against the nation.
Israel has taken decisive military action against Houthi positions in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, following reports of a missile attack by the Iran-backed group that involved cluster munitions. The Israeli strikes, which targeted key military infrastructures, including a presidential palace and fuel depot, resulted in four fatalities and 67 injuries, according to Houthi sources.
The Israeli defense forces indicated that this incident marked the first instance of cluster bombs being deployed by the Houthis during the escalating conflict between Israel and the group, who has been active in the region for several years. Investigations are reportedly underway to determine the reasons behind the failure to intercept the missile before it could release its payload.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz oversaw the retaliatory airstrikes, with Netanyahu emphasizing Israel's resolute stance against any form of aggression, stating, "Anyone who attacks us - we attack them." Following the Houthi missile strike, a video showing the dispersal of bomblets was released, further escalating tensions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that remnants of one such bomblet had landed in the Israeli town of Ginaton, causing light damage. Cluster munitions disperse smaller explosive devices over a wide area, posing long-lasting dangers due to the potential for unexploded ordnance to harm civilians later.
Since the beginning of the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, the Houthis have increased their military operations against Israel, citing solidarity with the Palestinians. The situation underscores the complex entanglements of various factions in the Middle East and highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where the Houthis have maintained control since 2014.
