Post by : Naveen Mittal

Photo: X / FRANCE24

Israeli Strikes in Yemen Kill 35, Houthis Claim Civilian Deaths

The war in the Middle East grew more dangerous this week after Israeli airstrikes hit areas controlled by the Houthi group in Yemen. According to health officials from the Houthis, at least 35 people were killed and more than 130 were injured. The strikes took place on Wednesday and continued into Thursday, creating fear and panic in the capital city of Sanaa and the province of al-Jawf.

Israel said its military was targeting important Houthi military centers, including camps, missile storage sites, and what it called the group’s “propaganda department.” Israel explained that the Houthis had been attacking its territory with drones and missiles, and it needed to respond strongly. But the Houthis gave a very different version of the story.

Their military spokesman said that the strikes had hit civilian areas, including two newspaper offices, a medical station, shops, and even part of the central bank in al-Jawf. Videos uploaded online showed black smoke rising above destroyed buildings, while first responders searched through piles of broken concrete to find survivors.

Israel’s Reason for Striking Yemen

The Israeli government stated that it launched the attack after the Houthis sent drones and missiles toward Israel. According to Israeli officials, hundreds of rockets and drones have been launched from Yemen over the past two years. Many were shot down before reaching Israeli territory, but some have caused damage.

Just a few days earlier, a drone from Yemen hit an airport in southern Israel, injuring one person. Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the country would not allow such attacks to continue without punishment.

He told citizens: “We struck them again today from the air, targeting their terror facilities, their terror bases, and those responsible. Whoever strikes us, we will reach them.”

Houthis Deny Military Sites Were Hit

The Houthis rejected Israel’s explanation and said the strikes were aimed at non-military locations. Yahya Sarea, the group’s main spokesman, announced that Israeli bombs hit civilian offices and homes. Their Al-Masirah TV channel listed places such as the Moral Guidance Directorate, two newspaper offices, a government building, and even a medical station.

Dr. Anees al-Asbahi, a spokesman for the Houthi health ministry, reported that in Sanaa alone, 28 people were killed and more than 100 were injured. In al-Jawf, at least 7 were killed and 18 wounded. He warned that the death toll may rise further as rescuers continued pulling bodies from the rubble.

Anger and Promises of Revenge

The political head of the Houthis, Mahdi al-Mashat, strongly condemned the strikes. He said the attack had failed to weaken the group and warned Israel that revenge was coming. “All Israelis must remain on high alert, as retaliation is inevitable. The attack has only given us a greater opportunity to respond with full force,” he declared.

This statement has increased fears of new rounds of violence. The Houthis have already shown their willingness to fight Israel far from their homeland by launching missiles across the Red Sea.

Background of the Conflict

The Houthis are a powerful group that controls most of northern Yemen. They took control nearly ten years ago after forcing out the country’s internationally recognized government. Since then, Yemen has been in a long civil war, with millions of people suffering from hunger, poverty, and destruction.

After the Israel–Hamas war started in October 2023, the Houthis announced they would support the Palestinian cause by attacking Israel. They also began targeting ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, claiming they were striking vessels linked to Israel or its allies.

In response, Israel, along with the United States and the United Kingdom, has carried out many airstrikes in Yemen. These strikes have targeted missile launch sites, drone storage areas, and training camps. Still, the Houthis have continued their attacks, saying they are defending Palestine.

A Cycle of Attack and Retaliation

The situation has now turned into a dangerous cycle. The Houthis launch drones or missiles → Israel responds with airstrikes → the Houthis threaten revenge → Israel promises more action. Each round makes the conflict worse and increases the chances of a wider regional war.

Earlier this year, Israeli planes killed Ahmed al-Rahawi, the prime minister of the Houthi-run government, along with several ministers. The Houthis swore revenge, and just two days ago, they attacked Ramon airport in southern Israel. That incident became one of the reasons for the new Israeli strikes on Wednesday.

International Reaction

So far, the international community has mostly watched with concern. The United States and the United Kingdom have also bombed Houthi positions when the group attacked international ships. Both countries worry that continued strikes on Yemen could spread chaos across the Red Sea, a vital shipping route for oil and trade.

Human rights groups have raised alarms about civilian deaths, especially after reports that hospitals, banks, and newspaper offices were destroyed. They argue that bombing civilian infrastructure only increases suffering in a country already facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

Voices from the Ground

Ordinary people in Yemen are the ones paying the heaviest price. Survivors in Sanaa described scenes of horror: children pulled from collapsed houses, shopkeepers trapped under debris, and ambulances rushing injured families to overcrowded hospitals.

One resident said: “We heard a loud explosion, the windows broke, and the street filled with smoke. People were screaming everywhere.”

Another man told reporters: “This war is not ours, but we are the ones dying.”

What Happens Next?

The strikes in Yemen are part of the larger conflict that has spread across the Middle East since the war in Gaza began. Israel is trying to stop attacks from groups supported by Iran, like the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon. But every strike risks killing civilians and creating more enemies.

The Houthis’ warning of “full force” retaliation means the region should expect more missile and drone launches. Israel, in turn, has promised to hit back even harder. This cycle makes peace seem far away.

The people of Yemen, already suffering from nearly a decade of civil war, now face even more destruction. And for Israel, the danger of rockets and drones from multiple directions continues to grow.