Israeli and U.S. Airstrikes Hit Yemen’s Hodeidah Port and Cement Factory After Houthi Missile Attack on Tel Aviv
In a Joint Operation, Israeli and American Jets Launch Wave of Strikes on Western Yemen as Houthis Threaten Aerial Siege on Israel
Watan-On Monday evening, Israeli and American warplanes launched a series of airstrikes on Yemen’s western Al-Hodeidah province, targeting the city’s main port and the Bajil Cement Factory, one of the country’s key industrial facilities.
According to Al-Masirah TV, affiliated with the Houthi movement, the “American-Israeli aggression” involved six air raids on Hodeidah port and additional strikes on the state-owned cement factory in Bajil. The Houthis reported 21 civilian injuries from the attacks.
The Israeli daily Israel Hayom confirmed that Israeli and U.S. aircraft carried out the operation in eight waves, citing coordination between both militaries. U.S. news outlet Axios quoted a senior American official saying the strikes were jointly planned.
An Israeli security source told Channel 12 that the strikes were in retaliation for a hypersonic missile launched by the Houthis on Sunday, which reportedly penetrated Israeli air defenses and hit Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
The Hodeidah port suffered what was described as a “devastating blow”, with 48 bombs dropped on Yemeni targets, according to Israeli sources.
The US military launches an attack on the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, while Israel undertakes to destroy the port of Hodeidah! pic.twitter.com/UqaBXDSeQY
— Sprinter Observer (@SprinterObserve) May 5, 2025
A History of Strikes on Yemen
This marks the sixth Israeli strike on Yemen since July 2024.
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July 20: Israel targeted oil tanks in Hodeidah.
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September 29: Attacks hit Hodeidah, Ras Isa ports, and power stations in Hali and Ras Kathib.
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December 19: Central power plants in Sanaa, Hodeidah, and Ras Isa were bombed.
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December 26: The fourth strike hit Sanaa Airport, Haziz power station, and key ports.
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January 10: A tri-party strike involving the U.S., UK, and Israel again targeted Haziz station and Yemeni ports.
These attacks have caused significant human and material losses.
Wider U.S. Involvement
Separately, U.S. warplanes conducted air raids on Sanaa and Al-Jawf provinces on Monday night.
According to Houthi-run Saba News Agency, 18 raids were reported, including:
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3 in Sawad, Sanaa’s Sanhan district
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15 in Al-Hazm, Al-Jawf
On Sunday and early Monday, additional U.S. airstrikes hit Sanaa, Ma’rib, Saada, and Hodeidah, reportedly injuring 16 civilians, including 15 in Sawan, Shoub District.
Other targeted locations included Atan, Bani Matar, Bani Hashish, and key sites in Ma’rib, Saada, Ras Isa oil terminal, and Kamaran Island in Al-Salif district.
Houthi Response: Air Siege on Israel
On Sunday night, the Houthis issued a military statement declaring their intention to impose a total aerial blockade on Israel, vowing to continue targeting Israeli airports—especially Ben Gurion Airport.
Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree stated that the move is in response to Israel’s intensified war on Gaza. He urged international airlines to take the threat seriously and cancel flights to Israel for passenger safety.
He added:“Yemen will not allow Israel to continue violating Arab land. The resistance will not fear confrontation and refuses submission.”
International Flight Disruptions
Following the statement, multiple airlines canceled or suspended flights to Tel Aviv, including:
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Ryanair
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Air Europa
-
LOT Polish Airlines
-
Lufthansa and Air India extended flight suspensions for 72 hours.
-
Other airlines halting service: Transavia, Iberia, Wizz Air, ITA Airways, British Airways, United Airlines
On Monday evening, Israeli and American warplanes launched a series of airstrikes on Yemen’s western Al-Hodeidah province, targeting the city’s main port and the Bajil Cement Factory, one of the country’s key industrial facilities.
According to Al-Masirah TV, affiliated with the Houthi movement, the “American-Israeli aggression” involved six air raids on Hodeidah port and additional strikes on the state-owned cement factory in Bajil. The Houthis reported 21 civilian injuries from the attacks.
The Israeli daily Israel Hayom confirmed that Israeli and U.S. aircraft carried out the operation in eight waves, citing coordination between both militaries. U.S. news outlet Axios quoted a senior American official saying the strikes were jointly planned.
An Israeli security source told Channel 12 that the strikes were in retaliation for a hypersonic missile launched by the Houthis on Sunday, which reportedly penetrated Israeli air defenses and hit Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
The Hodeidah port suffered what was described as a “devastating blow”, with 48 bombs dropped on Yemeni targets, according to Israeli sources.
A History of Strikes on Yemen
This marks the sixth Israeli strike on Yemen since July 2024.
-
July 20: Israel targeted oil tanks in Hodeidah.
-
September 29: Attacks hit Hodeidah, Ras Isa ports, and power stations in Hali and Ras Kathib.
-
December 19: Central power plants in Sanaa, Hodeidah, and Ras Isa were bombed.
-
December 26: The fourth strike hit Sanaa Airport, Haziz power station, and key ports.
-
January 10: A tri-party strike involving the U.S., UK, and Israel again targeted Haziz station and Yemeni ports.
These attacks have caused significant human and material losses.
Wider U.S. Involvement
Separately, U.S. warplanes conducted air raids on Sanaa and Al-Jawf provinces on Monday night.
According to Houthi-run Saba News Agency, 18 raids were reported, including:-
3 in Sawad, Sanaa’s Sanhan district
-
15 in Al-Hazm, Al-Jawf
On Sunday and early Monday, additional U.S. airstrikes hit Sanaa, Ma’rib, Saada, and Hodeidah, reportedly injuring 16 civilians, including 15 in Sawan, Shoub District.
Other targeted locations included Atan, Bani Matar, Bani Hashish, and key sites in Ma’rib, Saada, Ras Isa oil terminal, and Kamaran Island in Al-Salif district.
Houthi Response: Air Siege on Israel
On Sunday night, the Houthis issued a military statement declaring their intention to impose a total aerial blockade on Israel, vowing to continue targeting Israeli airports—especially Ben Gurion Airport.
Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree stated that the move is in response to Israel’s intensified war on Gaza. He urged international airlines to take the threat seriously and cancel flights to Israel for passenger safety.
He added:“Yemen will not allow Israel to continue violating Arab land. The resistance will not fear confrontation and refuses submission.”
-
International Flight Disruptions
Following the statement, multiple airlines canceled or suspended flights to Tel Aviv, including:
-
-
Ryanair
-
Air Europa
-
LOT Polish Airlines
-
Lufthansa and Air India extended flight suspensions for 72 hours.
-
Other airlines halting service: Transavia, Iberia, Wizz Air, ITA Airways, British Airways, United Airlines
-
