Nine killed and scores injured in Israeli strikes on Yemen, say Houthi rebels
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have reported that at least nine people were killed in Israeli strikes on the country’s rebel-held capital, Sanaa. These attacks mark the latest escalation in the ongoing exchanges between Israel and the Iranian-backed Houthis amid the war in Gaza.
The strikes took place on Thursday afternoon, just a day after a drone launched by the Houthis wounded 22 people in the southern Israeli city of Eilat — a rare breach of Israel’s air defenses.
According to the health ministry in the Houthi-controlled northern region of Yemen, which includes Sanaa, among the dead were four children, two women, and three elderly individuals. Rebel officials further reported that 59 children, 35 women, and 80 elderly people were among the wounded. Medics were continuing to search for victims believed to be trapped under the rubble, suggesting that casualty numbers could rise.
Houthi spokesman Omar el-Bekhety condemned the strikes, stating, “These crimes will not deter our people or break their will but will increase their steadfastness and resilience in confronting the Zionist crimes and continuing to support and back the honourable, oppressed, free people of Gaza.”
The Israeli military confirmed on Thursday that it had conducted airstrikes in Yemen. Dozens of Israeli aircraft targeted Houthi military command headquarters, military camps, and security and intelligence facilities.
In response, Houthi spokesman Omar el-Bekhety claimed that the Israeli strikes targeted residential neighborhoods and electricity facilities. He also asserted that the Houthis’ defense systems had successfully thwarted a large part of the attack.
According to residents of Sanaa, one of the strikes hit a building in a densely populated area of the city, believed to have housed a Houthi leader. The Associated Press has not independently verified this claim.
Resident Ahmed al-Mahweity described intense explosions on Friday that damaged several houses in the neighborhood. Another resident, Selim Rageh, reported that several cars were also damaged during the strikes.
Israel has carried out previous airstrikes in response to Houthi missile and drone attacks. Over the past 22 months, the Houthis have launched missiles and drones towards Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea. The group says these attacks are carried out in solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza.
The situation continues to escalate, highlighting the growing regional tensions connected to the ongoing conflict.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/nine-killed-and-scores-injured-in-israeli-strikes-on-yemen-say-houthi-rebels-1811302.html
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