Houthis issue statement on launching 11 missiles on ‘Israeli’ targets

The military spokesperson for the Houthi Movement in Yemen, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announced Monday that their air defenses successfully intercepted an 'Israeli' air assault targeting several cities in Yemen, hours after the 'Israeli' army launched a series of airstrikes on the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.

According to a statement released by the Yemeni military, the 'Israeli' air assault failed to carry out its objectives after Yemeni air defenses forced multiple hostile formations to withdraw from the airspace without launching their intended strikes. The statement added that the operation was thwarted using domestically manufactured surface-to-air missiles.

In response to what it described as “Zionist aggression” and in continued support of the Palestinian people, the Yemeni Armed Forces said they carried out a large-scale joint operation involving 11 ballistic missiles and drones targeting strategic sites inside occupied Palestine.

The statement detailed the following targets:

• Lod Airport: Hit by a “Palestine-2” hypersonic ballistic missile.
• Ashdod Port: Struck by a hypersonic ballistic missile.
• Ashkelon Power Station: Targeted with a hypersonic ballistic missile.
• Umm al-Rashrash (Eilat) Port: Attacked by eight drones.

The Yemeni Armed Forces claimed that all projectiles and drones reached their intended targets, adding that 'Israeli' defense systems failed to intercept them.

The military pledged continued operations in support of the “oppressed Palestinian people” and confirmed full preparedness to confront any future military escalation, including 'Israeli' attempts to break the Yemeni-imposed naval blockade.

This escalation comes shortly after 'Israeli' military radio announced the beginning of airstrikes on Hodeidah following threats to strike key ports in Yemen, including Ras Isa and Salif. 'Israeli' military sources claimed the strikes targeted areas allegedly used for hostile activities originating from Yemeni territory.

The 'Israeli' army had earlier ordered the evacuation of the Hodeidah power station in preparation for its air raids, describing the strikes as part of a broader response to growing threats from Yemen.

Meanwhile, no immediate response has been issued from Tel Aviv regarding Yemen’s claimed retaliatory attack. However, Houthi-affiliated media confirmed the Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah and accused the occupation of escalating tensions in the region.