Fear of a new escalation in the war! For the first time, Israel strikes Yemen

For the first time, Israel has struck inside Yemen following a deadly drone attack launched by Houthi rebels on Tel Aviv. Since the October 7 attacks by Hamas in Israel, the Houthi rebels have targeted ships in the Red Sea as a sign of solidarity with Gaza. However, these direct attacks on each other’s territory between the Israeli military and an Iranian-backed rebel group risk creating a new front in a conflict that already threatened to spread across the region.

Immediately after the Israeli strike, the Houthis said they launched a new barrage of rockets toward Israel, promising a response that would be "significant."

What is Known So Far? Who are the Houthis and What is Their Role in the Gaza Conflict?

The Houthis are an Iran-backed Islamist group based in Yemen. Known as Ansar Allah (Supporters of God), the Houthi movement has been involved in a civil war in Yemen for nearly a decade.

Origins and Consolidation of Power

The Houthis emerged in the 1990s when their leader, Hussein al-Houthi, launched the “Believing Youth” movement, a religious revival for a centuries-old sect of Shia Islam called Zaidism.

Since a ceasefire, the Houthis have consolidated control over much of northern Yemen. They have also sought an agreement with Saudi Arabia, a major rival of Iran, to bring the war to a permanent end and cement their role as rulers of Yemen.

Support and Armament from Iran

The Houthis are believed to be armed and trained by Iran. Since the October 7 Hamas attacks and the subsequent Israeli ground and air assaults on Gaza, the Houthis have sought retaliation against Israel for its military campaign by targeting ships in the Red Sea. The United States and the United Kingdom have responded to these attacks by striking Houthi targets in Yemen. However, Israel has not participated in these responses.

Recent Developments

Additionally, the Israeli military spokesperson reports that the militant group has targeted “Israeli civilians and civilian infrastructure” about 200 times during the same period. Most of these launches were intercepted by the U.S. Central Command, but Israel’s air defense has also intercepted drones and rockets launched by the Houthis both within and outside Israeli airspace.

What Happened in Tel Aviv?

A turning point for Israel appears to have occurred on Friday when a drone attack targeted Tel Aviv, killing an Israeli citizen and injuring several others.

The attack was claimed by the Houthis, with spokesperson Yahya Sare’e stating that the operation was carried out by a new drone capable of “bypassing the enemy’s interception systems.” This marked the first time Tel Aviv was hit by a drone in an attack claimed by the Houthis. Israeli authorities are investigating the circumstances and potential security failures surrounding the deadly drone explosion.

How Did Israel Respond?

Israel responded a day later when Israeli aircraft struck the Yemeni port of Hodeidah.

The attack, marking the first time Israel has hit Yemen, killed at least six people and injured many others, according to Yemeni officials. The Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported that the strikes targeted oil facilities at the port on Yemen’s west coast.