Iran Press/ West Asia: The airstrikes, which targeted oil refineries and other critical infrastructure, come amid heightened regional tensions following a recent drone attack by the Houthis on a building in Tel Aviv.
The Tel Aviv attack, which killed one person and injured ten, was claimed by the Houthis using a new type of drone that they say is undetectable by Israeli air defenses. In response, Israeli War Minister Yoav Gallant vowed retaliation, and it appears that promise has now been carried out with the strikes on Al Hudaydah.
While there has been no official confirmation from Israel, anonymous American officials have suggested to Israeli media outlets that Israel was behind the Al Hudaydah bombings. This would mark a significant escalation in the conflict, as the regime has not directly targeted Yemen before, focusing instead on Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.
Elijah Magnier, a respected Middle East analyst, commented on the psychological impact of the Tel Aviv attack, stating that it has shattered Israelis' sense of security. "For the Houthis to launch a drone from 2,000km and reach the target in Tel Aviv is very significant because it informs all Israelis that they have no safe place to go," he told Al Jazeera.
Magnier also noted that the "axis of resistance," including groups like Hezbollah and the Qassam Brigades, are expanding their attacks on Israel and "enlarging the war." This suggests that the Hudaydah strikes could be met with a strong response from resistance groups, potentially drawing in other regional actors.
Nasser Kanaani, the spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, condemned the airstrikes and warned that any continuation of the crisis, including attacks on Lebanon, "would not go unanswered." This underscores Iran's commitment to supporting the Houthis and other resistance groups in the face of what it sees as Israeli aggression.
As the situation continues to unfold, the risk of a wider regional conflict remains high. The interconnectedness of the various conflicts in the Middle East, from Yemen to Syria to Gaza, means that a spark in one area could quickly spread.
In the meantime, the international community must act quickly to de-escalate tensions and find a political solution to the conflict before it spirals out of control.
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