Israel launched airstrikes on Houthi positions in Sanaa, Yemen, targeting missile bases, energy hubs, and areas near the presidential complex after recent attacks.
Explosions in the Heart of SanaaWhy Israel Struck
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) explained the strikes were a direct response to a recent Houthi attack. Just hours earlier, the Houthis launched a cluster munition missile toward Israel. It was intercepted before reaching its target, but the message was clear: the conflict was escalating.
Israel hit back fast. The strikes targeted:
Missile bases used for launching long-range attacks.
Fuel depots and power plants linked to the Houthis’ military operations.
A command site inside the presidential palace compound.
Why Israel Struck
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) explained the strikes were a direct response to a recent Houthi attack. Just hours earlier, the Houthis launched a cluster munition missile toward Israel. It was intercepted before reaching its target, but the message was clear: the conflict was escalating.
Israel hit back fast. The strikes targeted:
Missile bases used for launching long-range attacks.
Fuel depots and power plants linked to the Houthis’ military operations.
A command site inside the presidential palace compound.
According to Israeli officials, these attacks were meant to disrupt the Houthis’ ability to launch further strikes and send a warning about the consequences of escalation.
Life on the Ground
For ordinary Yemenis in Sanaa, the politics and military explanations mean little in the moment. What they hear is the roar of jets and the thunder of explosions.
One eyewitness told reporters: “The windows just burst open, and the children started crying. We didn’t know where to hide.”
It’s a familiar fear. The Houthis have ruled Sanaa for nearly a decade, and the city has seen war before. But Sunday’s strikes carried a different weight they came from Israel, not Yemen’s usual warring sides.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about Yemen. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have repeatedly targeted Israel and commercial ships in the Red Sea, claiming solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel’s strikes signal a new front in a conflict that’s already stretching across borders. If the Houthis continue their attacks, experts warn the fighting could spill deeper into the region, threatening global shipping routes and pulling more countries into the mix.
What’s Next?
More airstrikes? Israel has hinted it won’t hesitate to act again if Houthis escalate.
Civilian risks. Bombing urban areas raises fears of casualties and humanitarian crises.