Israel strikes Yemeni port, threatens Houthi group with naval and air blockade

The Israeli naval fleet has struck the port of Hodeidah in Yemen, while Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has threatened the Iran-backed and -financed Houthi militant group with a naval and air blockade if attacks against Israel continue, Reuters reported.

Houthi-controlled Al Masirah TV reported that Israel had targeted the anchorages of ships in the port of Al Hodeida. The Israeli military said in a statement that the country's navy had struck Houthi targets, adding that the port was being used by the militant group to transport weapons.

There have been no reports of casualties yet.

The attacks came as the Israeli military issued orders to evacuate Houthi-controlled ports such as Ras Isa, Hodeidah and Salif.

"We warned the Houthi terrorist organization that if they continue to attack Israel, they will face a strong response and will face a naval and air blockade," Katz wrote on the social network X.

Since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, the Houthis, backed by Iran, have fired missiles at Israel and ships in the Red Sea, disrupting global trade, in what they have described as an act of solidarity with the Palestinians.