SANAA, Yemen: Israeli warplanes struck several sites in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, early on Sunday, in the latest escalation following Houthi missile and drone attacks on Israel, according to Yemeni and international media reports.
Yemen’s al-Masirah television reported that Israeli jets targeted areas near the presidential palace as well as oil and power facilities, marking the first strikes on the city since 17 August.
At least two people were killed and five were injured in the raids, Yemeni media reported.
Israel’s military later confirmed the attacks, saying its air force had dropped about 30 munitions on four sites, including the Asar and Haziz power plants and a compound linked to the presidential palace.
In a statement posted on Telegram, the army said the operation targeted Houthi “military infrastructure” in response to repeated missile and drone launches against Israel.
The strikes came two days after the Houthis said they fired a ballistic missile and two drones towards Tel Aviv and Ashkelon.
Israeli officials confirmed for the first time that a projectile fired from Yemen carried a cluster bomb, a munition that disperses multiple explosives, making interception more difficult. No casualties were reported in Israel from Friday’s attack, the Associated Press reported.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant vowed to “destroy Houthi infrastructure”, Al Jazeera reported.
Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich hailed the strikes on Yemen, telling a rally in Jerusalem that Israel would defeat the “terror regime in Yemen” as it had fought Hezbollah and Hamas, Al Jazeera reported.
The Houthis condemned Sunday’s airstrikes, accusing Israel of hitting “densely populated residential areas” and “civilian facilities”.
A senior Houthi official told Al Jazeera Arabic that the strikes constituted “a war crime” and vowed that the group would intensify operations against Israel.
The Houthis also warned of “additional military options” and threatened to target US interests if American involvement in the attacks was confirmed.
The group has launched missiles and drones at Israel and targeted Israel-linked shipping in the Red Sea for nearly two years, claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
According to Israeli and UN figures, Houthi operations have disrupted over $1 trillion worth of trade passing through the Red Sea annually.
Since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023, in which more than 62,800 Palestinians have been killed, the Houthis have stepped up their attacks.
The Houthis reiterated on Sunday that their operations would not stop until Israel ends its offensive in Gaza.
“Military operations against Israel and in support of Palestinians will not cease,” senior Houthi political figure Nasruddin Amer said on X.
