Saná, Yemen – Israel launched a direct strike against Houthi leaders in Yemen on Thursday, marking a notable escalation in its regional response to attacks by the Iran-aligned group.The operation, which targeted a military base near the presidential palace in the capital, Saná, represents the first confirmed instance of Israel successfully targeting Houthi leadership directly.
This action signals a potential shift in Israel’s strategy, moving beyond previous attacks focused on military targets and critical infrastructure. the strikes, occurring on August 30, 2025, at approximately 18:03:48 GMT, come amid heightened tensions in the Red Sea, where the Houthis have repeatedly launched drone and missile attacks against commercial vessels, disrupting global shipping lanes. The escalation raises the prospect of a wider regional conflict and further complicates efforts to resolve Yemen’s ongoing civil war.
in addition to the military base, the Israeli Air Force also targeted two power plants and a fuel warehouse within Yemen. A statement attributed to an Israeli official, reported by CNN español, indicated a determination to dismantle the Houthi’s strategic infrastructure and eliminate its leaders, drawing parallels to past operations against figures like Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, and, as referenced in the statement, leaders in Tehran.
The Houthis seized control of much of northern Yemen in 2014, ousting the internationally recognized government and plunging the country into a protracted civil war. Despite a military intervention led by Saudi Arabia and its allies,the houthis have managed to consolidate their power,creating a complex and destabilizing situation in the region. The conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of yemenis facing starvation and displacement.
This news has been updated with additional details.