Israeli Navy Targets Houthi-controlled Port in Yemen Amid Rising Tensions

Mon Dec 15 2025 11:17:43 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Naval strikes on Hudaydah come after Houthi missile attacks on Israel in retaliation for actions in Gaza.

The Israeli navy has launched strikes on the Houthi-controlled port city of Hudaydah, citing recent missile threats from the Houthis against Israel. No casualties were reported, but the strikes are a direct response to escalating tensions in the region, especially against the backdrop of Houthi missile launches in solidarity with Gaza.

Israeli navy ships have struck Houthi-controlled targets in Hudaydah, Yemen, in a significant escalation of military engagement in the region. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the strikes were in retaliation to missile attacks from the Houthis, who have been targeting Israel in support of the Palestinians following renewed conflict in Gaza.

The targeted strikes occurred early Tuesday morning and were aimed at disrupting the use of the port for "military purposes." Eyewitness accounts and social media posts depicted plumes of dark smoke arising from the site, with the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reporting that at least two strikes had taken place. Thankfully, there have been no immediate reports of casualties resulting from the attacks.

Amid these developments, Houthi forces have been launching missiles at Israel as a form of support for the Palestinians, especially highlighted during recent escalations in Gaza. Just last Thursday, the IDF successfully intercepted a Houthi missile over Jerusalem, while another missile struck Israel's major airport grounds in a prior incident.

In a proactive measure, the IDF had previously issued evacuation warnings to individuals in Hudaydah port as well as other Houthi-controlled ports, urging civilians to stay away for their own safety. Avichay Adraee, an IDF Arabic spokesperson, emphasized the need for caution due to activities attributed to the Houthi regime.

The Houthi deputy media officer, Nasruddin Amer, dismissed the effectiveness of the strikes, asserting that their operations remain unaffected and that public support for Gaza continues to flourish among their constituents.

Hudaydah port, essential for delivering humanitarian aid to millions of Yemenis, has faced multiple Israeli strikes over the past year. In one reported incident, an Israeli attack killed a Yemeni citizen, resulting in substantial disruptions to aid to the region.

Since taking control of substantial areas in Yemen back in 2014, the Houthis have intensified attacks on vessels traversing the Red Sea, aligning their military actions in solidarity with the Palestinians during the heightened conflict that began after Hamas’s assault on Israel in October 2023. Following the surge in Houthi provocations, the U.S. initiated airstrikes against the group, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.