The Israeli Air Force struck Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday, as Israeli officials threatened to hunt down the leaders of the Iran-backed group unless they stopped their drone and missile attacks.
The Houthis in Yemen will continue to pay a price for attacking Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after Israeli warplanes struck ports and other targets controlled by the rebel group.
IAF fighter jets fly over the Middle East and refuel during strikes on the Houthis in Yemen, January 10, 2025.
Israeli Air Force F-16I fighter jets take off from southern Israel’s Ramon Airbase en route to strike Houthi targets in Yemen, January 10, 2025.
The IDF has struck Houthi targets several times since July, when a Houthi drone killed one person and harmed several others in Tel Aviv.
Israeli authorities threatened to hunt down the leaders of the Iran-backed group unless they ceased their drone and missile attacks, and the Israeli Air Force hit Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday.
The US-led coalition reportedly attacked Houthi sites in the Harf Sufyan District, north of Sanaa, just before Israel launched its airstrikes. The strikes were not a joint operation, according to Israeli officials, but they were coordinated with the US.
The Israel Defense Forces reported that more than 20 IAF aircraft, including fighter jets, refuelers, and spy planes, took part in the Israeli strikes, dropping about 50 munitions on three primary targets: the Hezyaz power plant close to the capital Sanaa, and the ports of Hodeidah and Ras Isa on Yemen’s western coast.
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The military claimed that the power plant was used “as a central source of energy for the Houthi terrorist regime in its military activities.”. “.”.
Israeli officials issued a warning following the strikes, saying that if the missile and drone attacks persisted, the group would be subject to more attacks and its leaders would be singled out. Thursday evening saw the interception of three Yemeni drones.
After Israeli warplanes hit ports and other locations under the rebel group’s control, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the Houthis in Yemen would continue to pay a price for their attacks on Israel.
According to a statement released by Netanyahu, “the Houthis are paying, and will continue to pay, a heavy price for their aggression against us, as we promised.”.
He went on to say, “The Houthis promote the terrorist objectives of the Iranian axis in the Middle East and are an extension of Iran.”. In addition to endangering international freedom of navigation, they are a threat to Israel and the entire region. “.”.
Wherever and whenever it is required, Netanyahu declared, “We will act with determination and force against any entity that threatens Israel.”.
“There will be no immunity” for the leaders of the Iran-backed group, according to Defense Minister Israel Katz.
In a video statement, Katz said, “Today’s IDF strike in Yemen is a clear message to the Houthi terrorist group’s leader, Abd al-Malik al-Houthi, and the leaders of the Houthi terrorist group in Yemen: There will be no immunity for anyone.”.
He swore, “We will hunt you down and destroy the terror infrastructures you have built.”.
Today’s attacks came as Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, hosted a weekly demonstration against Israel and in favor of the Gaza Strip.
During a hate march against Israel, thousands of Houthi [supporters] witnessed firsthand the force of the Air Force aircraft, Katz said.
He continued, “The message is clear: Whoever harms Israel will be struck much much more.” “The port of Ras Isa is on fire and the port of Hodeidah is paralyzed.”.
Videos of IAF fighter jets flying “over the Middle East” were made public by the military. The strikes, which took place almost 2,000 kilometers (1,242 miles) from Israel, were captured in another video released by the IDF that showed aerial refueling.
During strikes on the Houthis in Yemen on January 10, 2025, IAF fighter jets refuel while flying over the Middle East. (Israeli military).
Video of IAF F-16I fighter jets departing Ramon Airbase in southern Israel on their way to Yemen was also made public by the military.
On January 10, 2025, Israeli Air Force F-16I fighter jets depart Ramon Airbase in southern Israel on their way to attack Houthi targets in Yemen. (IDF).
In addition to six airstrikes on the port of Hodeidah and multiple strikes on the capital itself, the Houthi-owned television station Al-Masirah reported 12 strikes by US and British forces in the Harf Sufyan District, north of Sanaa.
An area near Al Sabeen sq\. was struck during a weekly demonstration in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to Al-Masirah.
An attempted drone strike on Israel late Thursday was also claimed by the Houthis.
According to the Yemeni rebels, it attacked the Tel Aviv region with three drones, “and they were able to reach their targets successfully.”. “.”.
The Israeli Air Force effectively intercepted the drones, causing no harm or damage, according to the IDF.
Hours after the IDF announced that the Houthis have fired over 350 drones and ballistic missiles at Israel since October 7, 2023, when Hamas, another Iran-backed group, stormed southern Israel to kill about 1,200 people and take 251 hostages, starting the war in Gaza, the attempted drone strike set off sirens in the southern community of Gvulot.
Soon after, the Houthis started attacking Israel. They have also disrupted international trade by attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea on multiple occasions, some of which have no apparent connection to Israel.
Since July, the IDF has attacked Houthi targets multiple times after a Houthi drone in Tel Aviv killed one person and injured several more.
This report was written by Times of Israel staff.
