Israel Strikes Houthi-Controlled Power Plant Near Yemen’s Capital Sana’a
Israel’s military struck a power plant south of Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, early Sunday morning, targeting infrastructure controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi group. The Israeli army stated the attack was retaliation for repeated missile and drone launches by the Houthis against Israel—acts the Houthis claim are in support of Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict.
The strike hit the Haziz power station, damaging several generators and causing a brief fire, which emergency crews contained. Residents in Sana’a reported hearing at least two loud explosions and saw smoke near the facility after the bombing. According to local Houthi-run media, the power plant’s electricity generators went out of service. However, reports from both local officials and the media confirmed there were no immediate casualties.
Israel’s military announced that this action was a direct response to ongoing Houthi attacks, including a missile launched from Yemen last week. The Israeli army warned it would continue targeting any threats, saying, “The IDF remains determined to remove any threat to the State of Israel wherever required”.
Since October 2023, the Houthis have regularly fired missiles and drones at Israel, claiming solidarity with Gaza. While most of these attacks have been intercepted, they have provoked several Israeli airstrikes on Houthi-controlled facilities—including power stations, airports, and ports—in Yemen.
In addition to strikes against Israel, the Houthis have targeted ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, disrupting global trade and prompting international military responses from the United States and Britain. Earlier this year, the U.S. reached a deal with the Houthis to halt bombings in exchange for stopping Houthi attacks on U.S.-affiliated shipping, but the Houthis clarified this truce did not cover their attacks on Israel.
The recent Israeli airstrike highlights the growing regional impact of the Gaza conflict and the continued threats exchanged between Israel and the Houthi movement in Yemen.
Source: Al Jazeera, Xinhua, Hindustan Times, The Jerusalem Post
