Houthi military chief, marked by Israeli attack, warns of retaliation

In a series of unprecedented airstrikes, Israel targeted key Houthi officials in Yemen on Thursday. The attacks, which reportedly claimed the life of the Houthi Prime Minister, have heightened tensions between the two parties.

The Houthi Defence Minister Mohammed Al Atifi and the military chief of staff Mohammad Al Ghamari were among those targeted. However, the Houthis have not confirmed any casualties from the air strikes. Chairman of the Houthis' supreme political council Mahdi Al Mashat dismissed the reports of the defence minister and military chief of staff's death as "fake news".

Israel's actions were in response to the intercepted drones and missiles from Yemen. Two drones were intercepted by Israel from Yemen on Thursday, and a missile was intercepted a day earlier. Mohammed Al Atifi has overseen attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, a tactic the Houthis have been employing since the war in Gaza began in October 2023.

The Houthis have claimed these attacks are part of a campaign in support of the Palestinian territory. In a statement, they described Israel's escalation in Gaza or against Yemen as not a sign of strength but rather evidence of the enemy's failure to achieve its objectives over the past two years.

In response, Yemen has pledged to continue supporting Gaza. A statement published by Houthi media outlet Saba affirmed this commitment. Mahdi Al Mashat also threatened that the Houthis' long arm would teach Israel a lesson, according to a report by Al Masirir TV.

The leaders of the Iran-backed militia dismissed the strikes as "failures". Al Masirah TV reported that Mahdi Al Mashat described the strikes as "failures and will remain failures". The Houthis have not confirmed any retaliatory actions, but Mohammad Al Ghamari, the Houthi military chief of staff, vowed retaliation for Israel's attacks in Sanaa.

Israeli media reported that a ballistic missile was launched from Yemen overnight, but it fell short, according to military officials. The Houthis have been launching drones and missile attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and on Israel since the war in Gaza began.

As the situation continues to develop, both parties remain firm in their positions, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation in the region.