Houthis vow severe retaliation after Israeli airstrikes devastate Yemen’s Sana’a Airport 

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) executed a second series of airstrikes in Yemen within 24 hours, targeting Houthi terror infrastructure in response to a missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport. The operation, codenamed "Port City," obliterated Sana’a International Airport’s terminal, civilian aircraft, runways, and service facilities, rendering it inoperable, according to the IDF and Yemeni reports. Strikes also hit the Hezyaz and Dhahban power stations, causing widespread blackouts in Sana’a, and the Al-Amran concrete factory in Amran province, a key Houthi resource for military tunnels. In yesterday's attack, the Hodeidah port and a cement factory in Bajil suffered severe damage, with 70% of the port’s docks, warehouses, and customs areas affected, though not fully destroyed. Houthi media reported fires at the Bajil factory, with casualties including workers, and described the strikes as a “terrible crime” against civilians.

The Houthis, undeterred, issued fierce threats of retaliation. A flyer circulated by the group warned, “Expect a surprise at the Port of Haifa” and “Ammonia tanks have a date with Yemen,” signaling potential attacks on Israeli infrastructure. Senior Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, in an Al-Arabi interview, declared, “Escalation will be met with escalation. Our campaign with the US, UK, and Israel will continue until the aggression in Gaza stops. We have many Israeli sites we haven’t yet attacked.” Houthi official Hezam al-Assad called the strikes a “despicable crime,” vowing, “The blood of civilians and workers will fuel a severe and shocking Yemeni response.” Ali Al-Qhoom, a Houthi political bureau member, warned on X, “The Israeli aggression against greater Yemen will have dire consequences for the Zionists,” promising a strong response. A Houthi cartoon depicted a Yemeni dagger striking an Israeli airport, captioned, “Even your escape route won’t be safe,” mocked by some as reckless.

The IDF described the operation as a “complex mission” involving 20 fighter jets dropping 50 munitions in 30 seconds, coordinated with the US, targeting Houthi military assets over 1,240 miles from Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz oversaw the strikes, signaling an end to Israel’s restraint policy. The Houthis’ threats of unprecedented retaliation, including hypersonic missile rumors, underscore the risk of further escalation as both sides brace for conflict.