2024 Israeli strikes on Yemen

Last updated

Operation Outstretched Arm
Part of the Red Sea crisis and the spillover of the Israel–Hamas war
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2024 Israeli airstrikes on Yemen
Type Airstrike
Locations
Yemen adm location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Al Hudaydah
TargetDamaging or destroying Houthi arms storage facilities and oil depots at the Hudaydah Port, in reprisal for Houthi attacks on Israel
Date20 July 2024
Executed byFlag of the Israel Defense Forces.svg  Israel Defense Forces
Casualties6 killed, 80+ injured [1]

On 20 July 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes targeting military sites of the Iranian-backed Houthi militant group near the Hudaydah Port in Al Hudaydah, Yemen. The airstrikes hit weapons storage facilities and oil depots at the Hudaydah Port used for arms transfers from Iran to Yemen, as well as a power plant. [2] The attack was codenamed by the IDF as Operation Outstretched Arm (Hebrew : מבצע יד ארוכה). [3]

Contents

This operation followed a Houthi unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack the previous day, which crashed into an apartment building in Tel Aviv, Israel, killing one civilian. The IDF stated that the operation was carried out in response to Houthi attacks on Israel since the Houthi movement aligned with Hamas after the October 7 attacks. [2] [4]

The operation marks the first time Israel directly attacked Yemen. [5] It utilized F-15 and F-35I jet fighters, along with Boeing 707 jets for aerial refueling. [6] Commentators have noted the significance of the operation, emphasizing that it involved targets 1,700 kilometers from Israel, approximately 200 kilometers farther than Tehran, showcasing the extended reach of Israeli military operations. [4]

Background

The Houthi movement, officially "Ansar Allah", is an Iranian-backed Islamist militant group in Yemen. [7] The group is designated a terrorist organization by the United States, [8] [9] Saudi Arabia, [10] United Arab Emirates, [11] Malaysia, [12] and Australia. [13] [14] The group has called for the destruction of Israel and the United States, and their slogan is "God is the greatest, death to America, death to Israel. Curse the Jews, victory to Islam." [15] The movement, whose militants oppose Yemen's internationally recognized government, has controlled a considerable swath of the country's territory along the Red Sea since 2014.

Since the onset of the Israel–Hamas war, which began with Hamas' October 7 attacks on Israel, the Hamas-allied group began to launch missiles and drones at Israel. They have attacked international shipping vessels in the Red Sea in acts deemed international piracy. [16] [17] The Houthis' Red Sea attacks have drawn a military response from a number of countries. In January 2024, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2722, condemning the Houthi attacks and affirming freedom of navigation. [18] The United States-led Operation Prosperity Guardian was launched to protect Red Sea shipping. Since 12 January, the US and UK have led coalition air and missile strikes against the Houthis, while other countries are independently patrolling the waters near Yemen, attacking Houthi vessels in the Red Sea. [19]

19 July drone attack on Tel Aviv

The US Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv. The attack took place in the vicinity of the compound Ameemba020.jpg
The US Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv. The attack took place in the vicinity of the compound

On 19 July, a drone launched by Houthi militants from Yemen hit an apartment building near the US Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv, Israel's economic center. The drone strike killed one person in his apartment building, and injured 10 others. [20] [21] The drone is suspected by the IDF to have been an Iranian-made Samad-3 modified by the Houthis to carry more fuel (for a longer range) in exchange for a smaller warhead. [22] The drone was spotted but not intercepted. Israel claimed this was due to human error, while Ansar Allah claimed they had made a drone capable of bypassing the Iron Dome. [21] Likewise, no air raid siren was sounded. [22]

Israeli Air force pit in Kirya during the attack in Yemen. In the first row, from right to left: Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant IDF Operation Long Arm (1).jpg
Israeli Air force pit in Kirya during the attack in Yemen. In the first row, from right to left: Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant

Airstrikes

According to Israel's Defense Ministry, the operational plans for striking Yemen were reviewed and approved on 20 July morning, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, and other top defense officials overseeing the discussions. [2] The Israeli cabinet convened for a special emergency meeting, with ministers summoned on short notice, to approve the operation. The cabinet meeting, chaired by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi, was conducted under strict censorship. [2]

According to Houthi officials, the strikes hit oil facilities, a power station, and an electricity company in the Hudaydah Port, Yemen's principal harbor on the Red Sea, causing a fire and widespread power outages. [23] [24] Images and videos posted on social media have shown flames and smoke rising in the city. [25] Saudi news outlet AlHadath reported that three people were killed and 15 others were injured. [26] Houthi-run news network Al-Masirah said that at least 80 people were injured, the majority of them with severe burns. [5] The IDF said that it targeted Houthi military sites in the area of the port, used for weapon storage. [27] A senior US official reported that Israel was responsible for the operation, which was carried out unilaterally. He also indicated that the strike targeted a military facility used by the Houthis for acquiring and storing weapons. [2]

According to Israeli news outlet Ynet, the airstrikes targeted oil depots and storage facilities hidden by the Houthis at the Hudaydah Port used for transfers of weapons from Iran. [4] The Hodeidah port is critically significant because it represents the primary lifeline for the Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen, facilitating their major means of importing and exporting goods. [28]

The airstrike involved complex logistical and tactical measures due to the significant distance of 1,700 kilometers from Israel. The operation utilized aerial refueling with Boeing 707 "Re'em" aircraft, low-altitude flights to evade enemy radar, and possibly coordination with Saudi Arabia. [4] The airstrikes mark the first time Israel has attacked Yemen. [5] The IDF's task force included aerial intelligence and surveillance by the "Nachshon" squadron, naval support from warships and possibly a submarine in the Red Sea, and the use of "stand-off" munitions from a range of 100 kilometers. The primary strike force comprised F-35I "Adir" and F-15 fighters. [4]

Hezbollah-linked TV channel Al Mayadeen reported that power outages have affected several areas in Hudaydah due to the strikes. [2]

The Israeli government awaited the return of the aircraft before confirming responsibility for the operation.

Analysis

According to an analysis by Ynet , the operation was meant as a deterrent to the pro-Iranian government in Sanaa and as a signal to the US-UK coalition that the IDF will no longer rely solely on allied air defense. [4]

According to The Washington Post , analysts from Yemen determined that the operation would likely not deter the Houthis, but would instead enable them to mobilize Yemenis to fight against a perceived foreign threat, consolidating their local support. [29]

The Jerusalem Post observed that the operation bore similarities to the 1985 Operation Wooden Leg, where the Israeli Air Force targeted PLO sites in Tunisia, 2,200 kilometers from Israel. It emphasized the role of the F-35s in the 2024 operation, noting their stealth capabilities were crucial for striking the Houthis, who already utilized anti-aircraft missile systems to shoot down American UAVs. The Post described the operation as "an important milestone" for the F-35s within the Israeli Air Force, marking eight years since their initial deployment in Israel. [30]

Reactions

Aftermath

On the morning of 21 July, the IDF intercepted a missile fired from Yemen. Rocket and missile sirens sounded in Eilat, [43] however the IDF stated that the city was not targeted and denied reports of an explosion. [44] The Houthis stated that they had targeted Eilat with several missiles. [45]

See also

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Al Hudaydah, also transliterated as Hodeda, Hodeida, Hudaida or Hodeidah, is the fourth-largest city in Yemen and its principal port on the Red Sea and it is the centre of Al Hudaydah Governorate. As of 2023, it has an estimated population of 735,000.

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