- September 29, 2024
- 6:38 pm
- Middle East
The Israeli Air Force on the evening of September 29, 2024 carried out large-scale air strikes against Houthi regime targets in Yemen, located at a considerable distance from Israel’s borders – about 1,800 kilometers. The attack hit important strategic sites such as power plants and port facilities that the Houthis used to transport Iranian weapons into the region. The IDF confirmed that the operation was in response to recent Houthi attacks on Israel.
According to Lebanese media, at least ten bombings were carried out during the operation, which affected oil storage facilities and the airport in Hudeidah. The destruction was widespread, causing serious damage to the Houthi infrastructure used to support their military operations. Reuters confirmed that the attacks on oil storage facilities were part of a deliberate strategy aimed at weakening the capabilities of the Houthis and their Iranian allies.
These strikes were not only a response to the Houthis, but also part of a broader Israeli strategy in the region aimed at containing and preventing Iran. Israel is demonstrating its willingness to strike over long distances, destroying targets that threaten its security. These actions send a direct message to Iran: despite geographic distance, Israel has the capabilities to strike critical Iranian targets.
Such a signal is especially significant against the backdrop of the long-standing confrontation between Israel and Iran, in which Iranian proxy groups such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah play a key role. These organizations have actively threatened Israel in the past, but today their position is significantly weakened. Hamas and Islamic Jihad have been largely knocked out of the game, and their activities have been reduced to isolated terrorist attacks that do not pose the same threat as before.
Hezbollah, which has long been Iran's main weapon in the fight against Israel, is also facing serious losses. Hezbollah's arsenals are destroyed, Lebanon is blockaded, and the organization's top leaders become targets of Israeli attacks. Hundreds of Hezbollah fighters have reportedly been killed and thousands wounded and incapacitated, significantly weakening the organization's fighting capabilities. However, despite these Israeli successes, Hezbollah still poses a serious threat that requires close attention and decisive action.
As for Iran, its ability to respond to Israeli strikes is greatly reduced. During the recent attack on Lebanon, IRGC Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan was killed, which was another blow to Iran. In response, Tehran threatened to retaliate against Israel's actions, but Israel made it clear that such threats would not go without consequences.
Israel, while striking the Houthis and other Iranian allies in the region, is simultaneously demonstrating its ability to hit Iranian targets at any moment. This is a clear warning to Iran that its attempts to expand its influence in the region through proxy forces can be stopped by precise and large-scale strikes. The strikes in Yemen show that Israel is willing to operate at long range and use its aircraft to hit targets even outside the direct conflict zone.
Thus, this operation in Yemen is part of Israel's overall strategy to contain Iran and its allies, demonstrating the strength of the Israeli army and its readiness to defend its interests even on remote frontiers.
