Following Israeli airstrikes that pounded the Yemeni ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif earlier today, Yemen’s Houthi-led forces responded swiftly, launching ballistic missiles toward Israeli territory. Sirens blared across the southern West Bank as air defenses activated, marking a clear show of Yemeni resolve in defending their sovereignty.
Since Gaza’s suffering escalated in October 2023, Yemen has consistently pledged solidarity, conducting missile and drone strikes against Israeli interests and shipping lanes. In turn, Israel has repeatedly extended its military aggression into Yemen—targeting civilian ports, power plants, and infrastructure—under the pretext of halting “terrorist activity” and weapon transfers
Israeli Airstrikes: Earlier today, the Israeli military struck three major ports—Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif—as well as the Galaxy Leader ship, alleging their use in arms transfers
Yemeni Retaliation: Within hours, Yemen’s Ansarallah fired ballistic missiles toward Israeli targets. Though interception systems were activated in the West Bank, sirens signaled the missiles had entered Israeli-triggered air-defense zones .
Yemen’s decisive response demonstrates that Israeli aggression now threatens not just Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, but entire regional stability. By targeting key ports, Israel is risking a wider conflict. Yemen’s willingness to respond militarily signals its commitment to defend both national dignity and regional solidarity with Palestine—even under threat of escalation.
Israeli strikes severely disrupt humanitarian lifelines into Yemen: Hodeidah and Salif are vital for delivering food, medicine, and aid to millions already suffering from famine and blockade
. Yemeni retaliation, focused on military targets rather than civilian areas, seized international attention without loss of innocents—highlighting a contrast between defensive precision and offensive recklessness.
Yemen’s Houthi leadership lauded the missile launch as a rightful defensive act, condemning Israel’s airstrikes as war crimes.
Global voices within the Global South and Muslim world praised Yemeni resistance and criticized what many see as Israel’s unrestricted use of force .
Yemen’s forceful, measured response to Israeli attacks on its ports sends a powerful message: aggression will not go unanswered. With each Israeli escalation, Yemen and its allies intensify their defense efforts. As global tensions mount, Yemen’s actions may inspire other regional actors to stand firm—suggesting that any future aggression by Israel could rapidly trigger a broader backlash.
