Barran Press
In a heated response to escalating tensions, Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council condemned Israel's latest airstrikes on Yemeni soil, held on December 19, 2024. The council, led by Rashad al-Alimi, pointed fingers at the Iran-backed Houthi group, which is recognized internationally as a terrorist organization, for the recent aggression and violations of Yemen's sovereignty.
During a council meeting, members discussed the regional and national developments, urging the Houthis to prioritize the interests of the Yemeni people over their own agendas, according to Yemen's official news agency, Saba.
The council received a briefing on the "Houthi terrorist" attacks that threaten maritime security and the misleading narratives the group promotes to exploit the Palestinian plight. These tactics have detrimental effects on living conditions across the region.
Earlier that day, the Houthis reported that nine people were killed in a series of twelve Israeli airstrikes targeting the capital, Sana'a, and the western province of Hodeidah, which borders the Red Sea. Houthi-affiliated channel Al-Masirah stated that three others were injured in the strikes on the Hodeidah port and the Ras Issa oil facility.
In the early hours of December 19, a security source cited by Saba claimed that Israel launched four airstrikes on Hodeidah's port and additional strikes on power stations around the Sana'a area. The source reported casualties among staff at the Ras Issa facility but did not provide further details.
The Iranian-backed Houthis also claimed to have fired two "Palestine-2" ballistic missiles at military targets in Jaffa, Israel, although specifics about those targets remain unclear.
In response, the Israeli military announced that 14 fighter jets struck five targets in Yemen, including ports and energy infrastructure in Sana'a and Hodeidah. This marks the third Israeli attack on Yemen since the Houthis intensified their assaults in the Red Sea late last year.
Previous strikes occurred in July and September, targeting both the Hodeidah port and fuel facilities. Since November, the Houthis have ramped up missile and drone attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, leading to soaring insurance costs and prompting many shipping companies to reroute around Africa's southern tip.
To counter the Houthis, the "Prosperity Guard" coalition, led by the United States and supported by the UK, began airstrikes on Houthi positions in January 2024. The group has since expanded its operations to target vessels associated with Washington and London.