Israel launched airstrikes on Houthi military infrastructure at Hodeidah port in Yemen after issuing an evacuation warning. The strikes follow deadly attacks in Sanaa last week that left dozens dead and injured.
Israel Targets Houthi Stronghold in Yemen
The conflict in the Middle East intensified once again on September 16, 2025, as Israel launched airstrikes on the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, striking what it described as “military infrastructure” used by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The strikes came just hours after Israel issued an evacuation warning, signaling a deliberate escalation in its confrontation with the Houthis.
According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the Hodeidah port had been converted into a weapons transfer hub. The IDF claimed that Iranian-supplied arms were being smuggled through the port to fuel attacks against Israel and its allies.
“A short while ago, the IDF struck a military infrastructure site belonging to the Huthi terrorist regime at the Hodeida port in Yemen,” the Israeli military said in a statement, citing the rebels’ alleged role in facilitating Iranian arms shipments.
Houthis Respond With Air Defenses
In response, Yemen’s Houthi movement activated its air defense systems, claiming that it had disrupted Israeli operations.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Our air defenses are currently confronting the Israeli aircrafts that are launching an aggression against our country.”
He further asserted that the defenses had forced Israeli combat formations to withdraw before completing their mission.
Although Saree’s statement could not be independently verified, reports suggested that the strikes had triggered chaos in Hodeidah and nearby areas, causing panic among residents who had been urged to evacuate earlier in the day.
The Background: Escalation After Deadly Strikes in Sanaa
The fresh wave of airstrikes comes less than a week after Israeli bombings devastated Sanaa, Yemen’s capital. Those strikes, carried out on September 10, targeted Houthi command centers but also hit residential neighborhoods, killing at least 46 people, including 11 women and five children, and injuring 165 others, according to figures released by the Houthi-run health ministry.
Local journalists were among the victims, with rebel officials confirming that 11 media workers lost their lives. The scale of destruction left dozens of families homeless, with many forced to live in the rubble of their damaged homes.
“Everything was lost in the blink of an eye. Authorities haven’t even called us to this day,” said Um Talal, a Sanaa resident who described how her family’s living room walls were destroyed by the blasts.
Retaliation for Drone Attack on Israel
Israeli officials have justified their strikes as retaliation for a Houthi drone attack that managed to breach Israel’s multilayered air defense system. The drone struck a southern Israeli airport, shattering windows and injuring at least one civilian.
This breach alarmed Israeli authorities, who view the Houthis as a growing extension of Iran’s regional military influence. By targeting both military installations and logistical hubs like Hodeidah port, Israel aims to weaken the rebels’ capability to launch further drone or missile attacks.
Cultural and Civilian Sites Damaged
Beyond military targets, the September 10 strikes also damaged civilian and cultural landmarks. Reports from Hazm, the capital of Jawf province, indicated that a government building was destroyed. In addition, the National Museum of Yemen in Sanaa suffered exterior damage, sparking outrage among cultural preservationists.
Residents of Sanaa described harrowing scenes as homes collapsed, kitchens crumbled, and debris filled entire streets. Khaled al-Dabeai, a grocery store owner, said the explosions were so powerful that products fell from shelves and people fled in terror.
Humanitarian Fallout
The strikes highlight the deep humanitarian crisis in Yemen, already one of the world’s poorest nations. Years of civil war, economic collapse, and blockades have left millions dependent on aid. The recent Israeli bombings have added another layer of devastation, particularly for families unable to afford rebuilding costs.
Many survivors in Sanaa say they have little hope for assistance. “We will repair what we can and stay here. We have no other choice,” one resident told reporters.
Israel’s strikes in Yemen mark a significant geopolitical escalation. By directly targeting Houthi-controlled areas, Israel has extended its military campaign beyond Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, underscoring its determination to confront Iranian proxies across the region.
Analysts warn that this move could spark a broader confrontation, potentially drawing in Iran and reshaping the fragile balance of power in the Middle East.
Key Highlights
- Israel launched airstrikes on Hodeidah port in Yemen after issuing evacuation warnings.
- The IDF claimed the port was being used to transfer Iranian-supplied weapons to the Houthis.
- Houthis activated their air defense systems, claiming to have disrupted Israeli operations.
- Last week’s Israeli strikes in Sanaa killed 46 people and injured 165, including women, children, and journalists.
- The strikes were carried out in retaliation for a Houthi drone attack that struck a southern Israeli airport.
- Civilian homes and cultural landmarks, including the National Museum of Yemen, were damaged.
- Humanitarian concerns are rising as residents struggle to rebuild without aid.
The latest strikes on Hodeidah underscore Israel’s growing determination to confront Houthi rebels head-on, portraying them as a direct arm of Iran’s regional strategy. Yet, as the violence expands, ordinary Yemenis remain the most vulnerable—caught in the crossfire of geopolitical rivalries that continue to reshape the Middle East.