Israel Launches Airstrikes on Yemen; Houthis Vow Retaliation
تاريخ النشر: 10th, January 2025 GMT
On Friday, Israeli, American, and British fighter jets carried out airstrikes targeting Yemen's capital, Sana’a, as well as Al-Hodeidah province in the west and Amran province to the north.
Footage shared by activists on social media captured plumes of smoke rising over Sana’a, documenting a series of consecutive strikes.
According to Houthi-affiliated media, eight airstrikes targeted the Haziz Central Power Station in the Sanhan district, one of the main electricity facilities in the capital. Reports indicated that three workers were injured and residential homes near the station sustained damage as a result of the bombing.
Further airstrikes reportedly struck areas around Al-Sabeen Square in Sana’a during a massive demonstration in solidarity with Palestine. Al-Sabeen Square has served as a regular venue for Houthi-led public gatherings every Friday since the onset the Gaza conflict.
In addition, 12 strikes were said to have targeted Al-Hodeidah and As-Salif ports in western Yemen, while another 12 hit Houthi positions in the Harf Sufyan district of Amran province.
The Houthi government in Sana’a vowed to retaliate, declaring that the attacks would not go unpunished and asserting its ability to defend Yemen.
The group’s Supreme Political Council, the highest governing body within the movement, condemned the airstrikes as a blatant act of aggression and a serious escalation, accusing the U.S., U.K., and Israel of direct involvement.
In an official statement, the council described the attacks as provocative and escalatory actions that require steadfastness, confrontation, and a firm response by all available means.
The airstrikes come just one day after UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, visited Sana’a and held meetings with senior Houthi officials, including the prime minister, foreign minister, and the head of the prisoners' affairs committee, who is subject to U.S. sanctions.
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Riyadh Brings Together Yemen’s Legitimacy Factions: Impending Battle or Messages of Peace and Position Sorting?
In a notable development following a series of mixed political and military signals, the Saudi capital, Riyadh, hosted a meeting that brought together the presidency of Yemen’s Consultation and Reconciliation Commission, and the leaders of political factions and parties affiliated with it, along with the Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al Jaber.
“As part of the Kingdom’s continued support for comprehensive peace efforts, national reconciliation, and the stabilization of Yemen, I met today with the leadership of the Yemeni Consultation and Reconciliation Commission, as well as the heads of political factions and parties in the commission. I stressed the importance of supporting all efforts toward security, peace, stability, and development in Yemen.”
Yemeni political figure and Commission member Abdelmalik Al-Mekhlafi echoed this sentiment, tweeting:
“Today’s meeting in Riyadh between the leadership of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission and political party leaders with Ambassador Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber once again demonstrates the Kingdom’s and its leadership’s commitment to achieving reconciliation in Yemen, along with peace, stability, and development. It also reflects the strategic brotherly partnership between the Kingdom and Yemen toward achieving these noble goals.”
These statements come at a charged regional moment, with reports circulating of possible preparations for a ground operation in Yemen, while indirect talks continue between Tehran and Washington. Notably, the recent visit by Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman to Tehran, during which he met with Iran’s Supreme Leader, was anything but routine.
Within this broader regional and international context, Saudi Arabia has made two significant diplomatic moves related to the Yemen file. The first occurred in Washington, D.C., this past February, where Prince Khalid met with his American counterpart and other senior U.S. officials. That meeting reportedly focused on security coordination and regional issues, including Yemen and the Houthis. The second, more recent meeting took place in Tehran in April.
It is worth noting that Ambassador Al Jaber was present at both meetings—an indication that the Yemen issue featured prominently in discussions, both in Washington and Tehran.
These developments raise important questions: Is the Kingdom working to unify the political positions of Yemeni factions ahead of a potential escalation? Or is it seeking to reaffirm its role as a peace sponsor before the Houthis and the international community, especially amid speculation about a ground operation—one which Riyadh has officially denied any involvement in?
A critical point to observe here is the duality of messaging emerging from Riyadh. While official diplomatic rhetoric, as reflected in the ambassador’s meetings and statements, emphasizes de-escalation and support for peace efforts, Saudi media continues to broadcast messages about imminent military resolution and preparations for a decisive battle.
This contrast may be the result of a deliberate distribution of roles or it might signal hesitation regarding the final course of action. Regardless, it keeps the overall situation shrouded in ambiguity—an ambiguity that warrants careful analysis.
Given these dynamics, the question remains: Are we witnessing the dawn of a new Saudi-backed peace phase in Yemen? Or is this a last attempt to clarify positions before the eruption of a new round of conflict?
انطلاق برنامج “أردننا جنة” بحلة جديدة ووجهات متنوعة