Israeli airstrikes struck Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, targeting infrastructure controlled by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, according to the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV channel. The strikes, the first in Sanaa since August 17, 2025, when Israel hit energy facilities linked to the rebels, were a direct response to a Houthi cluster munition missile launched toward Israel on Friday, August 22.
Al-Masirah reported that the attacks hit an oil processing plant, a power station, and a presidential complex, though Israel has not officially confirmed the operation. The escalation follows over 22 months of Houthi missile and drone attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping, which the rebels claim are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza war.
The Houthi missile, identified by an Israeli Air Force official as a cluster munition, marked a significant escalation, as it was the first time the group used such a weapon against Israel since 2023. Cluster munitions, which disperse multiple explosives, pose greater interception challenges and indicate advanced Iranian technological support, according to the official, who spoke anonymously per military protocol.
The missile, launched from Yemen’s Saada province, caused no casualties but underscored the growing threat posed by the Houthis, who have targeted Israel and disrupted Red Sea maritime traffic since the Gaza conflict began on October 7, 2023.
Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti vowed that the Israeli strikes would not deter their operations, stating, “The Israeli aggression against Yemen will not discourage us from continuing our support for Gaza, no matter the sacrifices.” The broader conflict, rooted in the Gaza war that has killed over 62,263 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis, continues to fuel regional tensions.
Israel’s unconfirmed strikes highlight its strategy to counter Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” while the Houthis’ use of advanced weaponry raises concerns about further escalation. As investigations into the Sanaa strikes continue, the international community watches closely amid fears of a widening conflict.
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