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December 2024 Israeli airstrikes in Yemen

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December 2024 Israeli airstrikes in Yemen
Part of the Red Sea crisis and the Middle Eastern crisis (2023–present)
Al Hudaydah is located in Yemen
Al Hudaydah
Al Hudaydah
Al Hudaydah, one of the attacked cities
TypeAirstrikes
Location
Al Hudaydah Governorate and Sanaa, Yemen
TargetPort of as-Salif, Ras Isa oil facility, two power stations
Date19 December 2024
Executed by Israel Defense Forces
Casualties9 killed
3 wounded

During the night of December 19, 2024, Israel carried out several airstrikes in western Yemen, killing at least nine people and wounding three others.[1] The Israel Defense Forces struck a port and an oil facility near the capital Sanaa, which it said was retaliation for Houthi drone and missile attacks on Israel. Houthi sources said that Israeli strikes targeted the Heyzaz and Dhahban power stations near Sanaa, as well as the Hudaydah Port and Ras Isa oil facility.[2]

Background

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Main article: Red Sea crisis

Following the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel in 2023 that killed 1,200 people, Israel responded with an offensive on the Gaza Strip that killed over 45,000 Palestinians. In solidarity with the Palestinians, the Houthis launched a campaign of attacks against merchant ships that they claimed were linked to Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, however many ships targeted held no links to the three countries. Two ships were sunk and four sailors were killed throughout the Houthi campaign. The Galaxy Leader was also hijacked.[3][4]

The Houthis have also launched over 200 missiles and 170 drones at Israel, the majority of which were intercepted before reaching their targets. The strikes incurred Israeli airstrikes on Yemen in July and September. Concurrently with the December Israeli airstrikes, on the morning of 19 December, the Houthis fired a ballistic missile that was intercepted outside of Israeli airspace by the Arrow defense system. The missile's warhead, which didn't explode during the interception, crashed into an empty school in Ramat Gan, causing it to collapse. No injuries were reported.[4]

Airstrikes

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The strikes came in two waves and saw dozens of munitions dropped on five targets. Fourteen fighter jets alongside refuelers and surveillance aircraft participated in the operation. The aircraft departed at around 1:00 a.m. and embarked on a 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi)-flight to Yemen.[5] The strikes were conducted overnight due to operational concerns and attempts to improve intelligence on the targets. The first wave began at 3:15 a.m. and targeted Yemen's Red Sea coast, striking the ports of Hudaydah, Ras Isa, and Salif. Four air raids were reported on Al Hudaydah, including two that hit the Ras Isa oil terminal. Seven people were killed in as-Salif, two employees of the oil terminal were killed and another was injured in Ras Isa,[6] and two people were injured in Hudaydah Port.[7] The strikes also destroyed eight tugboats. The second wave, which occurred at 4:30 a.m., targeted the Dhahban and Heyzaz power plants—respectively located north and south of Sanaa.[8][4] IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said that the strikes targeted port and energy infrastructure used for military activity by the Houthis.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Houthis say at least nine killed in Israeli air strikes on Yemen". Al Jazeera. 19 December 2024.
  2. ^ Nasser, Irene; Yeung, Jessie (2024-12-19). "Israeli military strikes Yemen hours after Houthi attack targets Israel". CNN. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  3. ^ "Israel launches deadly strikes on Yemen after intercepting Houthi missile". France 24. 2024-12-19. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  4. ^ a b c "As missile fired at Israel, IDF pounds Yemen, believes it paralyzed all 3 Houthi ports". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  5. ^ "While Houthi missile inbound, IAF jets flew to strike Yemen". The Jerusalem Post. 2024-12-19. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  6. ^ "Houthis say at least nine killed in Israeli air strikes on Yemen". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  7. ^ "Israel strikes Houthi targets after missile attack". BBC News. 2024-12-19. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  8. ^ Zitun, Yoav; Ari, Lior Ben (2024-12-19). "Israel strikes Yemen after Houthi missile intercepted over central Israel". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  9. ^ "Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen's rebel-held capital and port city after Houthi attack targets Israel". AP News. 2024-12-19. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
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