Israeli security sources say attack on Yemen's Sanaa targeted a large number of senior Houthi officials

Israeli security sources say attack on Yemen's Sanaa targeted a large number of senior Houthi officials

Israeli security sources have reported that the recent airstrikes on Yemen's capital, Sanaa, were aimed at a large number of senior Houthi officials. The strikes, which occurred on Sunday, are part of an ongoing escalation in the conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

The Israeli military confirmed the strikes on the presidential palace, the Adar and Hizaz power plants, and a fuel storage site, which they believe the Houthi rebels use for military activity in the capital [2]. The strikes were carried out in response to repeated Houthi attacks on Israel with missiles and drones, according to the Israel Defense Forces [2].

The Houthi-run media office claimed that the strikes hit multiple areas across Sanaa, including a power plant and a gas station. Residents reported hearing loud sounds of explosions in different areas, including close to the presidential palace [1]. The reported strikes were the first to hit Yemen since a week ago, when Israel said it targeted energy infrastructure it believed was used by the rebels [1].

The Houthis have been launching missiles and drones toward Israel and targeting ships in the Red Sea for more than 22 months. They say they are carrying out the attacks in solidarity with the Palestinians amid the war in the Gaza Strip [1]. The use of cluster bombs in the latest attack represents an escalation in the Houthis' capabilities, with Israel's military noting that the missile was a new threat [1].

The conflict has upended shipping in the Red Sea, through which about $1 trillion of goods passes each year. From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis targeted more than 100 ships with missiles and drones [1]. The escalation in attacks comes as Israel continues to face threats from the Houthis and other militant groups.

In May, the United States announced a deal with the Houthis to end the airstrikes in return for an end to shipping attacks, although the rebel group said the agreement did not include halting attacks on targets it believed were aligned with Israel [1].

The Israeli military's escalation of attacks on Gaza on Sunday, killing at least 51 people including children and people seeking aid, has further escalated tensions in the region [2]. The Palestinian-run WAFA news agency reported that Israeli troops raided a house in the village of al-Arqa and set fire to land in Marj Ibn Amer plain [2].

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Sunday that the country is seeing a return to Zionism at its peak, and that the country will defeat the terror regime in Yemen as it has defeated other militant groups [2].

The conflict in Yemen has significant implications for regional security and stability, as well as global trade. The escalation in attacks by the Houthis and the Israeli military's response may lead to further disruptions in shipping and other economic activities in the region.

References:
[1] https://halifax.citynews.ca/2025/08/24/israeli-airstrikes-hit-yemens-capital-targeting-iran-backed-rebels-local-tv-station-says/
[2] https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/israel-strikes-energy-targets-presidential-210233883.html