Israel Strikes Yemen’s Houthi Strongholds in Massive ‘Operation Black Flag’

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Operation Black Flag

Key Points

  • Israel launches ‘Operation Black Flag’ with airstrikes on Houthi controlled ports and facilities in Yemen.
  • Targets include Hudaydah, Ras Isa, Salif ports, and the Ras Kanatib power plant.
  • Israeli military claims strikes were in response to Houthi missile and drone attacks on Israel and shipping in the Red Sea.
  • The seized ‘Galaxy Leader’ ship, used for maritime surveillance by Houthis, was also targeted.
  • Civilians were warned to evacuate hours before the strikes began.
  • Operation signals escalating tensions in the Middle East amid ongoing Israel-Iran ceasefire talks.

Tel Aviv: Tensions in the Middle East have surged again as Israel launched a powerful military campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Early Monday, Israeli Air Force jets carried out coordinated airstrikes on several strategic locations in western Yemen, marking the most significant escalation in the region since the recent Israel-Iran ceasefire.

Operation Black Flag: Targets and Impact

Under the codename Operation Black Flag, Israeli forces struck three major Houthi-controlled ports Hudaydah, Ras Isa, and Salif as well as the Ras Kanatib power plant. These facilities are considered vital for Houthi logistics, including the transfer of weapons from Iran and launching attacks on Israel and international shipping.

  • Heavy damage was reported at all targeted ports, with several ships set ablaze and extensive destruction of containers and boats.
  • The Ras Kanatib power station, a key supplier of electricity to the Yemeni cities of Ibb and Taiz, was also hit, plunging parts of the region into darkness.

Civilian Warnings and Rapid Assault

Prior to the operation, Israel issued urgent warnings to civilians and maritime crews in the targeted areas, urging immediate evacuation to avoid casualties. The airstrikes commenced just hours after these warnings, demonstrating the rapid execution of the military campaign.

Israeli Leadership: Stern Messages to Adversaries

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Defense Minister Israel Katz both issued strong statements following the strikes. Gallant emphasized that any attack by the Houthis would be met with severe retaliation, warning that Yemen could face consequences similar to those experienced by Iran. Katz declared, “Anyone who tries to harm Israel will suffer, and anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have that hand cut off”.

The Reason Behind the Strikes

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the airstrikes were a direct response to ongoing Houthi attacks, which have included missile and drone strikes on Israeli territory and shipping lanes in the Red Sea. The IDF revealed intelligence that the Houthis were planning further terrorist attacks with weapons supplied by Iran.

Special Focus: The ‘Galaxy Leader’ Ship

One of the most notable targets was the ‘Galaxy Leader’, a commercial vessel seized by Houthi militants in late 2023. The Houthis had reportedly equipped the ship with advanced radar systems, using it to monitor maritime traffic and support attacks in the Red Sea. The ship’s capture and subsequent use for surveillance underscored the growing threat posed by Houthi operations in the region.

Houthi Response and Regional Implications

Following the strikes, Houthi forces claimed to have engaged Israeli aircraft with domestically produced surface-to-air missiles. The group vowed retaliation, warning that escalation would be met with further escalation.

The operation comes at a critical juncture, as the Middle East grapples with fragile ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Iran, and ongoing instability in Gaza. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with concerns that renewed conflict could disrupt global shipping and further destabilize the region.

Summary Table: Operation Black Flag Targets and Outcomes

Target LocationType of FacilityReported ImpactStrategic Importance
Hudaydah PortShipping PortHeavy damage, fires, destructionMajor Houthi logistics hub
Ras Isa PortShipping PortSignificant damageWeapons transfer, maritime attacks
Salif PortShipping PortHeavy damageHouthi-controlled trade
Ras Kanatib Power PlantPower FacilityKnocked out, blackout in citiesElectricity for Ibb, Taiz
Galaxy Leader ShipSeized vesselTargeted, radar system destroyedMaritime surveillance, Houthi propaganda

Israel’s Operation Black Flag marks a dramatic escalation in its confrontation with the Houthi rebels, sending a clear message to adversaries across the region. As both sides brace for potential further conflict, the world watches closely, aware that the next moves could have far-reaching consequences for Middle Eastern stability and global trade.

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