Israel Strikes Yemen’s Capital Sanaa After Houthi Drone Attack on Eilat

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Israel carried out airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Thursday, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV and residents. The strikes came a day after Houthi forces, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a hotel in Israel’s Red Sea resort city of Eilat.

Residents in Sanaa reported hearing multiple explosions as Israeli warplanes targeted areas within the city. Images and footage from the capital showed large plumes of smoke rising above residential and commercial districts. While official casualty figures have not yet been confirmed, the strikes are being described as among the most significant in recent months.

The escalation followed a drone attack claimed by Yemen’s Houthi militia, which targeted a hotel in Eilat on Wednesday. The drone assault caused damage but did not result in large-scale casualties. Israel has accused the Houthis of increasingly aligning with Iranian regional strategies, which include direct threats against Israeli territory.

The confrontation between Israel and Yemen’s Houthi forces adds another layer of tension to an already volatile Middle East. The Red Sea region, where Eilat is located, is a critical maritime route, and security threats there have raised international concern. Observers note that the strikes in Sanaa reflect Israel’s determination to respond forcefully to attacks on its soil.

Global powers are closely monitoring the situation. While no immediate official responses were issued at the time of the strikes, the incident is expected to draw international attention given its potential impact on regional stability and shipping lanes through the Red Sea.

With both sides showing little sign of backing down, the exchange between Israel and the Houthis underscores the risk of further escalation. For residents of Sanaa, the airstrikes mark yet another reminder of the ongoing conflict that has gripped Yemen for nearly a decade.