Israel Launches New Airstrikes on Yemen’s Hodeida Port, Raising Fears of Regional Escalation

TDT | Manama

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Israel launched a fresh wave of airstrikes on Yemen’s Hodeida port, controlled by the Houthi group, marking the second such attack in a month.

The strikes come amid continued tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have launched repeated drone and missile attacks on Israel in what they describe as support for Palestinians during the ongoing war in Gaza.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed the latest attack, saying the strikes targeted infrastructure used by the "Houthi terror regime" in Hodeida. He added that the goal was to prevent the group from restoring facilities previously hit by Israeli forces.

"Yemen’s fate will be the same as Tehran’s," Gallant warned, referring to Israel’s surprise strikes on Iran last month that targeted key military and nuclear sites. The United States also joined the campaign with its own strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities just days later.

The situation has alarmed officials in the Gulf. A senior source in Riyadh told AFP that there are “serious concerns” the strikes could evolve into a long-term military campaign aimed at removing Houthi leaders—an escalation that could destabilize the already fragile region.

The Houthis, who have been in control of parts of Yemen for years, have endured a decade-long war with a Saudi-led coalition. While major fighting has slowed in recent years, fears are rising that a new front could open if Israeli attacks intensify.

“This could plunge the region into utter chaos,” warned the Gulf official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The developments have heightened anxieties across the Middle East, with many watching closely for signs of further military action that could spark a broader conflict.