Cairo, Aug 25 (AP) — Israeli airstrikes targeted Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on Sunday following the launch of a missile towards Israel by the Houthi rebels. The Israeli military described this missile attack as the first utilization of a cluster bomb by the rebels since 2023. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels confirmed multiple strikes across Sanaa, with the health ministry—run by the Houthis—reporting at least six fatalities and 86 injuries, seven of which were critical. Al-Masirah satellite television, controlled by the rebels, reported an Israeli strike hitting an oil facility managed by the Houthi-controlled national oil company. Social media videos showed the facility engulfed in flames. According to Israel's military, they targeted both the Asar oil facility and the Hizaz power plant—a crucial electricity supply center for military operations—alongside a military compound near the presidential palace. Residents of Sanaa recounted loud explosions near a closed military academy and the presidential palace, with smoke rising around Sabeen Square, a central location in the city. Hussein Mohamed, living near the palace, described the explosions as powerful, and Ahmed al-Mekhlafy said his home was shaken, resulting in shattered windows. For over 22 months, the Houthis have launched missiles and drones against Israel and targeted Red Sea ships as an expression of solidarity with Palestinians, coinciding with the Gaza war. Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, pledged to continue their strikes on Israel, asserting on social media that their military operations in support of Gaza would persist until the aggression ceases and the blockade is lifted. The Israeli strikes mark the first attack on Yemen in a week, following Israel's previous efforts to dismantle energy infrastructure used by the Houthi rebels. These events ensue following the Houthis' latest claim of sending a newly designed missile towards Israel, targeting Ben Gurion airport. Israel's military reported no damage as the projectile fragmented mid-air after being intercepted. An anonymous Israeli Air Force official called this missile a new threat—a cluster munition capable of splitting into multiple explosions upon impact. This official emphasized the complexity of intercepting such devices and suggested Iran's provision of advanced technology to the Houthis. More than ten Israeli fighter jets conducted Sunday's airstrikes. Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated Israel's commitment to air and naval blockades, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of a 'heavy price' for the Houthi aggression. Over the past two years, Houthi attacks have disrupted Red Sea shipping lanes crucial for global trade. From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis have aimed missiles and drones at over 100 commercial and naval vessels. The rebels paused these attacks during Gaza's ceasefire earlier this year, only to become the focus of a week-long airstrike campaign initialized by former US President Donald Trump. In May, the US brokered an agreement with the Houthis to cease airstrikes in exchange for halting shipping attacks, although Houthis denied any freeze on attacks perceived as Israel-aligned. Last month, the Houthis declared intentions to target merchant ships associated with any Israeli-linked companies, regardless of national origin, as part of an intensified campaign against Israel. Previously, in May, Israeli airstrikes carried out a rare daytime attack on Sanaa airport, obliterating the terminal and creating craters along the runway, damaging six passenger aircraft, three of which belonged to Yemenia Airways, according to airport authorities. (AP) SKS RD RD
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