The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) executed a major airstrike operation targeting Iranian-backed Houthi terror network positions in Yemen on Tuesday, resulting in the destruction of critical infrastructure and a temporary shutdown of the main airport in the Sana’a region. The strikes, carried out by dozens of Israeli Air Force (IAF) jets, represent a significant escalation in Israel’s ongoing defensive campaign against Iranian-sponsored attacks across the region.
According to an official statement from the IDF spokesperson, over forty IAF aircraft participated in the coordinated mission, deploying more than fifty precision munitions against a wide array of Houthi military assets. Key targets included weapons depots, command-and-control nodes, drone and missile launch facilities, and sensitive logistical compounds. The IDF confirmed the effective disabling of Sana’a International Airport and the destruction of other terror-related infrastructure, severely impacting the operational capabilities of the Houthi regime.
The Houthis, classified as a terrorist organization by Israel and recognized as such by the United States and its partners, represent a critical arm of Iran’s regional ‘Axis of Resistance.’ Operating from northern Yemen, and under the direct guidance of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Houthi leadership has launched a series of cross-border attacks, drone strikes, and long-range missile salvos targeting Israeli territory and international maritime traffic in the Red Sea. Intelligence assessments presented by Israeli and Western defense ministries trace a growing sophistication in Houthi weaponry and tactics—direct consequences of intensified Iranian support since 2021.
IDF officials emphasized that the airstrikes were conducted as acts of self-defense, following repeated Houthi attempts to disrupt international shipping lanes and to target Israeli civilian and commercial interests with advanced weaponry. These hostilities represent not only a direct threat to Israeli security, but also a broader campaign by the Iranian regime to destabilize the Middle East through its terror proxy network, which also includes Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and allied militias in Iraq and Syria.
The operation unfolded against the backdrop of the Iron Swords War, launched by Israel in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack—the deadliest antisemitic massacre since the Holocaust—which left over 1,200 Israelis dead and more than 250 hostages taken into Gaza. With Iranian-backed proxies seeking to open new fronts, the IDF has intensified defensive measures across all theaters, integrating air, naval, and intelligence assets with support from international partners. The IAF’s reach into Yemen demonstrates Israel’s capability to project force against direct and imminent threats, even at considerable distances from its borders.
The conduct of the operation adhered strictly to international law and procedures aimed at minimizing collateral damage. According to images and mission data released by the IDF, only verified military targets were selected, and precision-guided munitions were used to avoid civilian areas. No credible reports suggest widespread civilian casualties in the aftermath of the strikes, indicating success in mitigating harm to non-combatants.
Reactions from the international community underscored the seriousness of the Houthi threat. The United States reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself from Iranian-sponsored terrorism. Egypt and other regional actors called for de-escalation but acknowledged that the underlying driver of instability remains Iran’s relentless campaign to arm and coordinate its proxy groups throughout the Middle East.
The broader strategic context centers on Iran’s effort to encircle Israel with a network of militant organizations committed to its destruction, using advanced missile and drone technology. The Houthis’ integration into this axis has been marked by repeated attempts to strike Israeli and allied targets, disrupt global trade, and propagate destabilizing narratives. Israeli defense officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, reiterated that while Israel seeks no conflict with Yemen itself, it will not hesitate to eliminate terror threats wherever they emerge.
Legal and military analysts stressed that Israel’s actions fall squarely within Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, guaranteeing the inherent right to self-defense against armed attack. The IDF detailed the pre-strike warnings and intelligence-gathering process, underscoring its commitment to international humanitarian law and the principles of necessity and proportionality.
The Israeli Air Force’s unique capabilities—developed through years of technological innovation and operational experience—now enable targeted strikes deep within hostile territory. These actions are carefully coordinated with allied military and intelligence services, ensuring both the disruption of terror logistics and the continued protection of civilians on all sides.
As the IDF monitors the evolving threat environment, it continues to remain on high alert against further Houthi aggression, as well as parallel threats from Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, and Iraq. The message conveyed by this operation is clear: Israel will defend its sovereignty and the safety of its population against any and all acts of terror orchestrated by Iran and its regional agents.
The consequences of this operation are expected to reverberate throughout the region, serving as a warning to other Iranian proxies. Western and regional allies have expressed ongoing support for Israel’s defensive measures, with numerous governments reinforcing the importance of upholding freedom of navigation, international law, and the stability of the Middle East’s security architecture.
In the wake of the airstrikes, Israeli intelligence is closely monitoring potential retaliatory plots by the Houthi network or its Iranian sponsors. Defense planners remain focused on the immediate disruption of further attacks, the protection of maritime routes, and the coordination of allied responses to emergent threats. Israel’s leadership maintains that only resolute action against the architects and perpetrators of terror will ensure the long-term security and stability of the region.
The IDF’s operation in Yemen stands as a clear example of Israel’s commitment to proactive defense and the broader fight against terror. As the war imposed by Iran and its proxies grinds on, Israel’s resolve to defend its people and counter those who threaten its existence remains unshaken.
