YEMEN was hit by waves of Israeli air strikes today, hitting ports and facilities controlled by the Houthi-led government.

Houthi forces hit back by firing missiles into Israel.

Israel attacked after a Liberian-flagged ship was targeted in the Red Sea on Sunday, setting it on fire and forcing the crew to abandon the vessel.

Following the attack on the Greek-owned bulk carrier Magic Seas, suspicion immediately fell on the Houthis, particularly as a security firm said bomb-carrying drone boats appeared to hit the ship after it was targeted by small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. 

Yemen’s al-Masirah satellite news channel acknowledged that the attack had occurred but made no comment.

A resumption of the Yemeni military campaign against shipping could draw the United States and Western forces into renewed attacks on the country. 

The Israeli military said it had struck the ports at Hodeida, Ras Isa and Salif, as well as the Ras Kanatib power plant. 

“These ports are used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer weapons from the Iranian regime, which are employed to carry out terrorist operations against the state of Israel and its allies,” the Israeli military said.

Both Israel and the US have struck ports in the area in the past. In April, a US attack killed 74 people. 

But Israel now appears to be acting alone as it continues attacks on Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Gaza. 

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened further strikes, saying: “Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have it cut off. The Houthis will continue to pay a heavy price for their actions.”

The Yemenis responded with a missile attack on Israel that reportedly struck its targets, again penetrating the US-supplied Iron Dome defence system. 

No injuries were reported, but sirens sounded in the West Bank and along the Dead Sea coast.