In a significant expansion of the Middle East conflict, the Israeli army has launched a series of airstrikes on western Yemen, according to local and regional reports. The attacks come amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Iranian-backed groups, with Yemen’s Houthi movement being a key ally of Iran in the region.
The airstrikes reportedly targeted sites in the Hodeidah and Taiz governorates, areas where the Houthis have a strong presence. Though the Israeli military has not officially confirmed the strikes, sources on the ground and multiple independent outlets suggest the operation was intended as a preemptive response to threats emerging from Houthi-controlled areas.
Analysts say the move marks a dangerous escalation and signals Israel’s willingness to open new fronts beyond Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Yemen’s strategic location near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait makes it a sensitive geopolitical hotspot, especially amid growing fears of a broader regional war involving Iran and its allies.
The Houthis have recently intensified their rhetoric against Israel and the United States, threatening retaliatory strikes in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. This latest development raises concerns over the potential for more direct confrontations between Israel and Iranian-aligned forces.
No immediate casualty figures have been confirmed, and the extent of the damage remains unclear as access to affected areas is limited due to ongoing conflict and poor infrastructure.
