Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz, on Wednesday, announced that their fighter jets conducted strikes on Houthi targets at Sanaa airport in Yemen, following the group’s launch of two projectiles towards Israel the previous day.“Air Force jets have just struck terror targets of the Houthi terrorist organisation at the airport in Sanaa and destroyed the last aircraft remaining,” Katz said in a statement. “This is a clear message and a continuation of our policy: whoever fires at the State of Israel will pay a heavy price,” he added.Houthi media subsequently confirmed the Israeli strikes on the airport.The military action followed Israel’s interception of a missile and another projectile launched from Yemen by the Iranian-supported group.The Houthis, who govern substantial areas of Yemen, subsequently acknowledged launching two “ballistic missiles” towards Israel.Since October 2023, following Hamas’s attack on Israel and the ensuing Gaza conflict, the Houthis have consistently launched missiles and drones at Israel.The Yemeni forces, acting in support of Palestinians, suspended their operations during a two-month Gaza ceasefire until March, resuming afterwards when Israel recommenced its military operations in the region.Despite most projectiles being intercepted, a missile in early May reached the vicinity of Ben Gurion international airport near Tel Aviv, resulting in numerous international flight cancellations to Israel.Israel has conducted various retaliatory strikes in Yemen, targeting ports and Sanaa airport.The Israeli military confirmed Wednesday’s strikes destroyed aircraft belonging to the group.“The aircraft struck were used by the Houthi terrorist organisation for the transfer of terrorists who advanced terrorist attacks against the state of Israel,” according to the army’s statement.“Similarly to the Hodeida and Salif ports that were struck last week, the main airport of Sanaa is continuously operated by the Houthi regime and is used by them for terror purposes,” the army added.
