Israel strikes Yemen’s capital as Houthis back Palestinians in Gaza

Israel’s warplanes have again struck Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in response to the Houthis’ military support of Palestinians in Gaza.

Up to 30 strikes were recorded within 15 minutes, resulting in at least two fatalities.

The number of injured in the attacks has reached 35, but it is likely to rise in the coming hours.

Bombs landed just meters away from the presidential complex, missile bases, and oil and power stations.

Footage circulating on social media shows an explosion tearing through several buildings near the presidential complex, followed by a massive fireball.

Plumes of black smoke were seen rising into the sky above Sanaa shortly after the bombardment.

Hussein Mohamed, a resident near the presidential palace, said: ‘The sounds of the explosions were very loud.’

Meanwhile, Ahmed al-Mekhlafy said he felt the sheer force of the strikes, adding: ‘The house was rocked, and the windows were shattered.’

The strikes were the first to hit Yemen since a week ago, when Israel stated it targeted energy infrastructure it believed was used by the group.

The Israeli military said in a statement on X: ‘The attacks were carried out in response to repeated attacks by the Houthi terrorist regime against the state of Israel and its citizens, including the launch of surface-to-surface missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles towards the country’s territory.’

The Iran-backed Houthis have been launching missiles and drones toward Israel and targeting ships in the Red Sea for more than 22 months.

Most of the attacks have been intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome, but Israel has continued to bomb rebel targets in Yemen.

Abdul Qader al-Murtada, a senior Houthi official, said on Sunday they will continue to act in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

He wrote on X: ‘(Israel) must know that we will not abandon our brothers in Gaza, no matter the sacrifices.’

Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, claimed the latest airstrikes will not deter the rebels and vowed to continue attacks on Israel.

He said: ‘Our military operations supporting Gaza won’t stop, God willing, unless the aggression is stopped, and the siege is lifted.’