CAIRO (AP) — On Sunday, August 24, 2025, Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple locations in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, following a missile launched toward Israel by Houthi rebels. The Israeli military identified this missile as a cluster bomb, marking the first use of such ammunition by the Houthis against Israel in 2023. This escalation in conflict comes as the rebels claim they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians amid ongoing hostilities in Gaza.
The Iranian-backed Houthis reported extensive damage from the Israeli strikes, stating that several areas of Sanaa were hit. According to the Houthi-run health ministry, at least four people were killed and 67 were wounded in the attacks. Al-Masirah, the rebels’ satellite television channel, reported that an oil company was struck, with social media footage showing a significant fireball emerging from the location.
Israeli military sources confirmed the targeting of the Asar and Hizaz power plants, which they described as crucial electricity supply facilities for military operations, in addition to a military site near the presidential palace. Residents of Sanaa reported hearing intense explosions near sensitive areas, including a closed military academy and the presidential palace. Hussein Mohamed, a local resident, remarked on the strength of the explosions, while Ahmed al-Mekhlafy described how his home shook and windows shattered from the blasts.
Over the last 22 months, the Houthis have frequently launched missiles and drones towards Israel and have targeted shipping vessels in the Red Sea, alleging these actions are in response to Israel's military actions against Palestinians. In a defiant message, Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, pledged to maintain military operations against Israel until what he termed “aggression” ceases and a blockade on Gaza is lifted.
The recent strikes from Israel represent a continuation of military operations against the Houthis, who claimed to have launched a new missile towards Israel's Ben Gurion airport prior to the airstrikes. Although Israeli interceptions reportedly fragmented this missile mid-air, an Israeli Air Force official characterized it as an emerging threat due to its nature as a cluster munition, which complicates interception efforts. The official also noted that more than ten Israeli fighter jets participated in the Sunday strikes.
Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, emphasized that the country continues to enforce an air and naval blockade. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this sentiment, stating that the Houthis are “paying a heavy price for their aggression.” The targeted operations come after a week in which Israel had also attacked energy infrastructure believed to assist the rebels.
Over the past two years, Houthi missile and drone strikes have significantly disrupted shipping in the Red Sea, a vital corridor for approximately $1 trillion worth of global goods annually. Reports indicate that from November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis targeted over 100 commercial and naval vessels. Although the Houthis ceased their attacks during a recent ceasefire in Gaza, they subsequently became targets of a prolonged airstrike campaign initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump.
In May, the United States brokered an agreement with the Houthis to end airstrikes in exchange for a cessation of attacks on shipping. However, the Houthis clarified that this deal did not preclude them from conducting operations against entities they associate with Israel. In the wake of this latest escalation, the Houthis announced plans to target merchant ships tied to companies engaging in trade with Israeli ports, marking a new phase in their operations against Israel.
In a prior significant incident in May, Israeli airstrikes struck the Sanaa airport during daylight hours, damaging the terminal and affecting multiple passenger aircraft. This attack underscores the ongoing volatility in the region and the precarious situation facing civilians caught in this conflict.
