Official statements from the Israeli government or military, verified news reports

U.S. Strikes Houthi Facility in Yemen; Israel Intercepts Yemeni Missile Over Tel Aviv, Plans Response

Dec 19, 2024, 12:40 AM

On December 16, U.S. forces conducted precision airstrikes against a key command and control facility operated by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in central Sana'a, Yemen, marking the first time the U.S. hit a target in the city's center, according to U.S. Central Command. The facility was reportedly used to coordinate attacks against U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. In response to the airstrikes, the Houthis claimed to have launched a hypersonic ballistic missile toward Israel, stating it hit a military target in Tel Aviv. Early Wednesday morning, sirens sounded across central Israel, including Tel Aviv, as the Israel Defense Forces reported intercepting a missile launched from Yemen before it entered Israeli airspace, using the Arrow-3 missile defense system. Debris from the interception fell in Tel Aviv's Ramat Efal neighborhood, causing minor damage. Mohammed al-Houthi, a member of the Yemeni Supreme Political Council, stated that Yemen's battle continues and they will respond to aggressive attacks. Israeli media reported that the military is preparing for a possible offensive against the Houthis in Yemen in response to the escalating missile and drone attacks. These developments signal a significant escalation in tensions involving the Houthis, the United States, and Israel.