The Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed on Thursday that they had launched missile attacks targeting Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, a military site south of Tel Aviv, and a US aircraft carrier in the Red Sea. The announcement came shortly after Israel reported intercepting two missiles launched from Yemen.
Missile Attacks on Israel and the US
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that the group had targeted Ben Gurion Airport with a ballistic missile. He also confirmed an attack on a military site south of Tel Aviv. However, the Israeli military reported that both missiles had been intercepted before they could reach Israeli territory.
In addition to the attacks on Israel, the Houthis claimed to have targeted the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Red Sea. According to Saree, this was “in retaliation to the ongoing US aggression against our country.”
US Strikes and Houthi Retaliation
The United States launched a large-scale airstrike operation against the Houthis on March 15. Washington has vowed to continue its offensive until the rebels cease their attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden—key shipping routes critical to global trade.
Since then, the Houthis have reported near-daily US airstrikes on areas under their control. They have responded by targeting US naval forces and launching fresh attacks on Israeli territory.
Fatal Strikes in Yemen
Houthi officials reported that overnight US-led airstrikes near the rebel-controlled capital, Sanaa, killed two people and injured two others on Thursday. The Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported nearly 20 strikes in Sanaa governorate, with additional strikes in Saada, the rebels’ northern stronghold.
According to Anis al-Asbahi, a spokesperson for the Houthi health ministry, “The American aggression killed two and injured two.”
While the US military does not always confirm its strikes, a US defense official told AFP that American forces have been conducting daily operations against Houthi targets across Yemen.
Escalating Tensions and Leaked US Messages
The latest missile strikes come amid a controversy in the United States over the March 15 airstrikes. The Atlantic Magazine recently published leaked messages from a Signal chat group of senior US officials discussing the strikes. While the White House insists no classified details were leaked, the scandal has added to the tensions surrounding US military operations in Yemen.
Houthis’ Attacks and the Gaza War
The Houthis initially began targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. However, they paused their attacks in January when a temporary ceasefire was announced.
Earlier this month, the rebels threatened to resume their attacks, accusing Israel of maintaining an aid blockade on Gaza. This escalation led to the first US airstrikes on Yemen since Donald Trump took office in January.
Sources By Agencies
