The Israeli Air Force executed a concentrated attack on Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen earlier today, targeting dozens of terror assets at and around Sana’a International Airport. According to an official announcement by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the operation involved dozens of fighter jets that deployed 50 precision-guided munitions, crippling the airport and neutralizing surrounding infrastructure that was repurposed by the Iranian-backed Houthi regime for terror operations.
The IDF reported that the strike, which took place in under 15 minutes, rendered Yemen’s central aviation hub inoperable. Israel’s military also struck central power stations and a concrete factory utilized by the Houthis to further their campaign of violence across the region.
Military officials, led by IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, stated that the operation was launched in response to escalating threats posed by the Houthis, who have become a critical node in Iran’s regional terror axis. Intelligence assessments had indicated the transformed use of Sana’a International Airport by the Houthis as a launch site for missile and drone attacks against Israeli and international targets, facilitated and supplied by Iran.
This strategic operation comes amid Israel’s broader defense war against Iranian-backed terror organizations operating across several fronts—including Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. These groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, have carried out sustained attacks on Israeli civilians, shipping routes, and global energy corridors since the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led massacre in southern Israel, the deadliest episode of antisemitic violence since the Holocaust.
The Houthis, known officially as Ansar Allah, seized large portions of Yemen with direct Iranian support over the last decade, establishing themselves as a central component in the broader “Axis of Resistance.” Their forces have launched numerous missiles and drones targeting Israel and international commercial shipping, directly threatening maritime security in the Red Sea and beyond. Many of these attacks have been intercepted by Israeli and U.S. defense systems, but the persistence of the threat has prompted Israel to expand its operational theaters.
The IDF emphasized that the raid was carried out with precision to minimize civilian harm, focusing on facilities directly contributing to hostile activity. Targeting intelligence highlighted that the attacked locations had been converted into command centers, armament storage, and logistical nodes, supporting not only local Houthi operations but also broader Iranian terror ambitions.
The international response reflects mounting concern over Iranian proxies’ destabilizing influence. Western and regional actors—including the United States, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—have condemned Iran’s role and expressed support, or at least understanding, for Israel’s defensive actions. The ongoing Abraham Accords and recent security dialogues highlight a new willingness among Arab states to cooperate with Israel against shared threats from Tehran’s regional strategies.
The legality and proportionality of Israel’s actions, carried out strictly against military targets, have been affirmed in statements by Israeli defense officials. The government reiterates that the operation, governed by international law, was necessary to preempt major attacks and degrade the capabilities of hostile non-state actors embedded in civilian infrastructure by Iran and its proxies.
The airstrike signals a turning point in Israel’s doctrine: confronting Iranian-led proxy aggression wherever it manifests, not limited by geography. The effectiveness and speed with which Israeli forces neutralized Houthi assets at Sana’a Airport sends a powerful message regarding Israel’s operational reach and commitment to protecting regional stability and international shipping lanes.
With the Iron Swords War ongoing and the memory of the October 7th massacre still fresh, Israel remains vigilant across all fronts. Operations such as today’s strike in Yemen represent a crucial part of the country’s wider defense posture, underscoring the determination to act decisively in the face of coordinated threats against its citizens and critical global infrastructure.
