Houthis Return to Maritime Terrorism, Threaten to Bomb Israel

The Houthi insurgents of Yemen, possibly the last combat-effective Iranian proxy force in the Middle East, are threatening to continue missile attacks against Israel after a devastating Israeli airstrike on the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah.

Israel launched strikes against Houthi port facilities on Sunday after the Houthis attacked a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier ship called Magic Seas. It was the first Houthi pirate attack against a civilian vessel in the Red Sea this year.

The Houthis hit the Magic Seas with small arms fire, RPGs, missiles, and bomb-laden drone boats. The ship’s armed security team fought back as long as they could, but eventually, the vessel caught fire and began taking on water, forcing the crew to abandon ship.

Houthi spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility, stating the ship was targeted due to its visits to Israeli ports. He threatened a blockade of Israel until military operations in Gaza cease.

In retaliation, the IDF bombed ports in Hodeidah, Ras Isa, Salif, and a power plant at Ras Kanatib. The IDF noted these sites are used to transfer Iranian weapons for terrorist operations.

Saree also claimed that Houthi air defenses intercepted Israeli jets and retaliated with hypersonic missiles targeting Ben Gurion Airport, Ashdod Port, and a power station in Ashkelon. Israel confirmed only two missiles were launched and both were intercepted.

Nasruddin Amer, head of the Ansar Allah media office, vowed to continue attacks on Israeli civilians, reiterating the group’s extremist anti-Israel rhetoric. (BB/VFI News)

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