Israel attacks ports in Yemen's Hodeidah

Prior to attack, Israel issued warning to three Red Sea ports ie Ras Isa, Hodeidah, and Salif ports.

Listen to article

WORLDWIDE:

Israel attacked Yemen’s Hodeidah province with airstrike after telling residents of three Red Sea ports under Houthi control to evacuate, according to the Houthi-run interior ministry.

The warning named Ras Isa, Hodeidah, and Salif ports, which Israel claims are being used by Iranian-backed Houthi forces.

The timing of the attacks follow days after a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted en route to Israel.

Nasruddin Amer, head of the Houthi-run Saba news agency, denied that any Israeli attacks had taken place on the ports.

Israel has yet to issue an official statement.

The escalation comes ahead of a planned visit to the Middle East by US President Donald Trump and amid heightened tensions in the region.

Trump launched a renewed military campaign against the Houthis on 15 March, targeting strongholds across Yemen.

However, he later accepted a ceasefire deal brokered by Oman. The Houthis said the agreement did not extend to Israel.

Despite the ceasefire, Houthi forces have continued launching missiles and drones at Israel and have targeted shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

They say their actions are in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

Earlier this week, Trump said the Houthis had agreed to halt disruptions to critical international shipping routes.

Israel has conducted several retaliatory airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen over the past months.