Israeli Airstrikes Target Houthi Positions in Yemen's Capital
Israeli airstrikes hit multiple targets in Sanaa, Yemen's capital, on Sunday, according to Houthi rebels. The strikes reportedly targeted a power plant and a gas station, just days after the Iran-backed group launched a new type of cluster missile toward Israel. The Houthis have been attacking Israel and commercial shipping in the Red Sea for months, claiming solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. This marks a continued escalation in the regional conflict, with Israel directly targeting Houthi infrastructure.
Unpacked:
The Houthis are a Shiite rebel group from northern Yemen with ties to Iran. Since 2014, they have controlled much of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, and have fought against the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, turning the conflict into a regional proxy war.
The Houthis claim solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and oppose Israel’s actions there. They also target commercial shipping to pressure Israel and its allies, as part of their broader regional opposition to Western and Israeli influence.
Iran provides the Houthis with weapons, training, and funding, aiming to expand its influence in the Arabian Peninsula and challenge Saudi and Western interests. Iran’s support for the Houthis is part of its regional rivalry with Saudi Arabia and opposition to Israel.
This marks an escalation, as Israel has rarely attacked targets inside Yemen. Direct strikes indicate a widening of the Israel-Hamas conflict into a broader regional confrontation, increasing risks of further escalation involving Iran and its allies.