Israel Launches Strikes on Yemen’s Hodeida as Houthis Activate Air Defenses

Sept 2025 : Israel launched a fresh round of airstrikes on Yemen’s Hodeida city on Tuesday, targeting what it described as Houthi “military infrastructure,” while Iranian-backed rebels said they confronted Israeli aircraft and disrupted the assault.

In a statement, the Israeli military said its forces struck facilities at Hodeida port used by the Houthis to channel weapons supplied by Iran. “The Hudaydah Port is used by the Houthi terrorist regime for the transfer of weapons supplied by the Iranian regime, in order to execute attacks against the State of Israel and its allies,” the military said.

Houthis Claim to Repel Incursion

Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree confirmed Israeli air activity and said Yemen’s air defenses responded. Posting on X, he wrote, “Our air defences are currently confronting the Israeli aircrafts that are launching an aggression against our country.”

In a follow-up statement, Saree asserted that the rebels’ defenses caused “great confusion” among Israeli combat formations, forcing some to retreat from Yemeni airspace before completing their mission. He claimed the measures helped thwart Israel’s attempt to penetrate deep into Yemen.

Strikes Amid Mourning for Journalists

The airstrikes came as Yemenis gathered in Sanaa to mourn 31 journalists reported killed in Israeli raids last week. The mass funeral, covered live by Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, showed dozens gathered inside a mosque before coffins draped in cloth were carried for burial.

Attendance was lower than expected, said mourners Khaled Rageh and Ahmed Malhy, possibly due to heavy morning rain. “This is a huge loss for Yemen, yet many could not make it today,” they told The Associated Press over the phone.

The journalists were among dozens killed during Israeli strikes in Sanaa that targeted residential areas, a military compound, and a fuel station. The National Museum of Yemen also sustained damage, with footage showing destruction to its façade. In Hazm, the capital of Jawf province, a government building was hit.

Escalation Follows Drone Attack on Israel

Last week’s strikes were carried out after a Houthi drone breached Israel’s air defenses and struck a southern Israeli airport, shattering glass windows and injuring one civilian. Israel’s military later said its operations in Sanaa hit sites used by Houthis to collect intelligence, manage propaganda, and store fuel.

Israel has repeatedly struck Houthi positions in response to missiles and drones launched at its territory. The Houthis maintain they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and have also harassed shipping in the Red Sea for nearly two years.

Journalists in the Crossfire

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said Monday it was still investigating reports of Yemeni journalists’ deaths but faced challenges due to limited access and censorship in rebel-held Sanaa. “The information environment is highly restricted — Houthi authorities have imposed strict censorship, including a ban on sharing photos or videos related to the airstrikes,” CPJ noted.

Similarly, Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned Israeli attacks that struck a media complex in Sanaa housing two newspapers. “The recent Israeli forces’ attack further highlights the threats journalists are facing in Yemen, not just by domestic authorities but also by external warring parties,” HRW said in a post.

Yemeni analyst Mohammed al-Basha wrote on X that one of the strikes hit as staffers at the September 26 newspaper were preparing their next edition.

Broader Conflict

The Houthis’ confrontation with Israel has added a new layer to the region’s conflict landscape. With ties to Iran and a history of targeting shipping lanes, the group’s involvement threatens to deepen instability in the Red Sea corridor and beyond.

For Israel, the strikes in Yemen reflect its determination to counter any force aligned with Iran, even as it continues to grapple with ongoing fighting against Palestinian groups in Gaza.