The White House National Security Council stated to NewsNation that the US did not participate, coordinate, or assist with the Israeli airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. They affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense.
The Israeli Defense Forces reported that their fighter jets targeted Houthi “military targets” in Al Hudaydah Port, Yemen, in response to numerous recent attacks on Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s resolve to defend itself and warned that enemies seeking to harm Israel would face severe consequences.
A Houthi spokesman claimed on social media that Israel’s attack targeted fuel storage and a power plant in Hodeidah, and these actions would not halt their support for Gaza.
On Friday, a Houthi drone hit Tel Aviv, resulting in one death and multiple injuries.
In response, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant promised retaliation. He noted that the Houthis had attacked Israel over 200 times and reiterated Israel’s commitment to respond wherever necessary.
Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Houthis have disrupted global shipping in the Red Sea by attacking vessels with drones and missiles.
In the past day, U.S. Central Command reported the destruction of a Houthi UAV over the Red Sea.
A White House official mentioned that President Joe Biden, self-isolating in Delaware due to a positive Covid test, was briefed on Middle East developments by his deputy national security adviser Jon Finer.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern regarding airstrikes conducted inside and around the Hodeidah port in Yemen.
According to a statement published on the official UN website, Guterres called on all parties involved to avoid attacks that could harm civilians and civilian infrastructure. He also voiced significant worry about the risk of further escalation in the region and urged all relevant parties to exercise maximum restraint.
