The IDF confirmed that with the direction of the IDF Intelligence Directorate and the Israeli Navy, IAF fighter jets struck military targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime of Friday on the western coast and inland Yemen.
The targets that were struck include military infrastructure sites in the Hizaz power station, which serves as a central source of energy for the Houthi terrorist regime in its military activities. In addition, the IDF struck military infrastructure in the Al Hudaydah, and Ras Isa ports on the western coast. The targets struck are examples of the Houthis’ exploitation of civilian infrastructure for its terrorist activities.
"The Houthi terrorist regime is a central part of the Iranian axis of terror, and their attacks on international shipping vessels and routes continue to destabilize the region and the wider world," the IDF stated.
"While the Houthi terrorist regime operates as an independent terrorist organization, it relies on Iranian cooperation and funding to attack the State of Israel and its citizens," it added.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "As we have pledged, the Houthis are paying, and will continue to pay, a heavy price for their aggression against us. We attacked today terrorist targets of the terrorist Houthis regime in the western coastal strip and in the depths of Yemen. The Houthis are a branch of Iran and they serve the terrorist goals of the Iranian axis in the Middle East. They constitute a danger to Israel and the entire region, including the freedom of the world's shipping lanes. I repeat: We will not tolerate any threat to our citizens and our state. We will act with determination and force against any element that threatens the State of Israel - wherever and whenever it is required.''
Defense Minister Israel Katz "The IDF's attack today in Yemen is a clear and sharp message to the leader of the Houthi terrorist organization Abd al-Malik al-Houthi and the heads of the terrorist organization Houthi in Yemen: there will be no immunity for anyone. We will hunt you and destroy the terrorist infrastructure you have established. The long arm of Israel will reach you wherever you are. Thousands of Houthis participating in a hate parade against Israel heard the power of the Israeli Air Force at close range. The port of Hodeidah is paralyzed, the port of Ras Isa is burning, and the message is clear: whoever harms Israel will be repaid sevenfold.''
At the same time, US and British forces reportedly struck targets as well. Al Arabiya reported that the strikes targeted underground targets in the Amran area.
According to the Houthi-affiliate al-Masira network, the strikes were conducted in proximity to Saba'in Square in the capital as the Houthis were holding their weekly rally for Gaza.
Since the war began, Israel has struck Yemen four times: in July, September, and in December. In the most recent strike, the IAF carried out an extensive strike on the Sana'a International Airport and the al-Hudaydah seaport. al-Masira reported that Israel also struck oil installations in the country.
On Thursday the IDF intercepted two UAVs launched by the Houthi terrorist rebels within minutes of each other.
One UAV managed to enter Israeli airspace and set off sirens in the western Negev, while the other two were intercepted over the Mediterranean Sea.
Earlier in the day, the IDF revealed that since the start of the war, the Houthis have launched approximately 40 surface-to-surface missiles from Yemen toward Israel. The IDF Aerial Defense Array intercepted most of the missiles that approached Israeli territory. So far, one fallen projectile has been identified, along with two partial interceptions that led to fragments falling in the area. The rest of the launches failed en route.
Additionally, the Houthi terrorist regime has launched approximately 320 UAVs toward Israel, over 100 of which were intercepted by the Israeli Air Force. To date, two effective hits have been identified.
The remaining UAVs either fell in open areas, failed to reach Israeli territory, or caused no significant damage.