Amid ongoing strikes against Hezbollah group, Israel on Sunday launched strikes at Houthi targets in Yemen. The Israeli military in a statement said that the strike was a response to the recent Houthi attacks against Tel Aviv.
"Over the past year, the Houthis have been operating under the direction and funding of Iran, and in cooperation with Iraqi militias in order to attack the State of Israel, undermine regional stability, and disrupt global freedom of navigation,” read the statement.
The strike was carried about 1,800 km from the State of Israel. According to IDF, the targets included power plants and a seaport used to import oil, which were used by the Houthi group to transfer Iranian weapons to the region,
“The IDF is determined to continue operating at any distance – near or far – against all threats to the citizens of the State of Israel,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, a senior Houthi official said that the attacks failed. “Precautions were taken, the oil tanks were emptied in advance at the port of Ras Issa and Hodeidah, and there was an emergency plan,” said Nasr ad-Din Amer.
Iran condemned strikes by Israel on Yemen's Hodeidah port, saying they targeted a power plant and fuel tanks.
According to experts, Israel is sending a message to Iran by these attacks that the Israeli Air Force is willing and is able to launch air raids at any distance. Earlier Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during his speech at the UNGA, warned Iran that ‘Israel can reach anywhere’.