Israel’s military conducted airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa, on Sunday, targeting high-profile sites in a significant escalation of hostilities.
The strikes hit areas near the presidential palace, the Asar and Hizaz power plants, and Houthi facilities suspected of housing artillery, including ballistic missiles, according to regional reports.
The operation was a direct response to recent Houthi attacks on Israel, including projectile launches on Friday, a military source told the Jerusalem Post. While Israel has previously targeted Houthi infrastructure, its strikes have largely focused on the strategic port city of Hodeida, a critical economic and military hub. The shift to Sanaa signals a broader and more aggressive approach to the conflict.
At least two people were killed and five others injured, Al Masirah, a Houthi-affiliated media outlet reported, according to Al Jazeera.
“The attacks were carried out in response to repeated attacks by the Houthi terrorist regime against the state of Israel and its citizens, including the launch of surface-to-surface missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles towards the country’s territory,” the Israeli military said in a statement.
The Houthis, meanwhile, have vowed to continue their campaign in solidarity with Palestinians. “The Israeli aggression against Yemen will not discourage us from continuing our support for Gaza, no matter the sacrifices,” Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti said in a statement obtained by Al Jazeera.
In March, President Donald Trump launched Operation Rough Rider, a major air and naval campaign targeting Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen to curb their attacks on Red Sea shipping. The strikes, which began on March 15, hit key locations including Sanaa, where at least four airstrikes struck the Eastern Geraf neighborhood of Shouab district and three in the Al-Sawad area; Hodeida, with significant strikes on the Ras Isa oil port. U.S. Central Command reported that the strikes killed hundreds of Houthi fighters, including senior missile and UAV officials, with unofficial estimates ranging from 500 to 600 Houthi terrorists killed. A ceasefire between the U.S. and the Houthis was announced on May 6.