Jerusalem [Israel], May 12: The Israeli military carried out airstrikes on three ports in western Yemen on the evening of May 11 shortly after issuing an evacuation warning, according to the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV station.
The new Israeli airstrikes targeted the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa and As-Salif, all located along the Red Sea, Xinhua reported on May 12, citing al-Masirah. There were no reports of casualties.
Xinhua news agency quoted locals as saying that Houthi workers at the ports had prepared to receive fuel shipments before the attack.
The Houthi interior ministry also accused Israel of attacking Hodeidah on May 11. Meanwhile, the head of the Houthi-run Saba state news agency, Nasruddin Amer, denied any new Israeli attacks on Yemeni ports, according to Reuters.
There was no immediate response from Israel to the new attack.
About 40 minutes before the airstrikes, Israel reportedly warned civilians to leave the three ports, according to Xinhua. Earlier in the day, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) advised ships to stay away from waters near the Houthi-controlled ports.
On May 9, after the Israeli military announced that it had intercepted a missile from Yemen, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed to retaliate against the Houthis. "The Houthis continue to launch Iranian missiles at Israel. As we promised, we will respond strongly in Yemen and wherever necessary," Katz wrote on the social network X.
The Houthis, who control large swaths of Yemen and say they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians, have repeatedly attacked Israel and shipping in the Red Sea since shortly after the Hamas-Israel conflict erupted in the Gaza Strip in October 2023.
The US launched a military operation in response to Houthi threats to continue attacks on shipping, but reached a ceasefire with the group on May 3.
However, the Houthis have vowed to continue targeting Israel and Israeli vessels, saying their deal with Washington does not include Israel, according to AFP.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
