Israel’s defense forces have intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, marking the third such incident by Houthi forces within a 24-hour period. This latest escalation occurs as the United States continues its military interventions in Yemen. The Israeli military confirmed the activation of air raid sirens in various regions of the country as a precautionary measure following the missile launch.
No injuries or substantial damage were reported in the incident. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree took responsibility for the missile attack, framing it as a response to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. The Houthis have increasingly engaged in targeting Israel and shipping routes in the Red Sea, asserting that their actions demonstrate solidarity with Palestinians amid continued Israeli military operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Notably, Houthi forces refrained from conducting attacks during the earlier ceasefire in Gaza. However, following Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to the area in early March, their military actions resumed in protest of the subsequent escalation of conflict in the region.
In parallel, Houthi-affiliated television networks reported that U.S. forces have conducted airstrikes on Yemen’s Kamaran Island and the as-Salif district in the port city of Hodeidah. This increase in military activity follows a series of engagements, with reports indicating that U.S. air raids have targeted the Ras Isa oil port, a vital resource for the nation.
The revival of U.S. military operations in Yemen has raised concerns regarding civilian casualties. The London-based monitoring group Airwars reported that civilian deaths have surged, with estimates suggesting that between 27 and 55 civilians were killed in the month of March alone. Reports indicate that at least 68 African migrants perished in a single overnight U.S. strike, further amplifying the humanitarian crisis faced by vulnerable populations in the region.
Amidst this backdrop of escalating conflict, Yemen finds itself grappling with a significant political shift. Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, the Prime Minister of Yemen’s internationally recognized government, announced his resignation, citing persistent challenges in governance, particularly his inability to restructure the cabinet effectively. Insiders suggest that internal power struggles may have contributed to this change in leadership. Subsequently, the Presidential Council appointed Finance Minister Salem Saleh bin Braik as the new Prime Minister, while also naming bin Mubarak as an advisor to the ruling body.
The political landscape in Yemen remains intricately tied to the longstanding conflict, with bin Mubarak’s career marked by resilience in the face of adversity, particularly after his abduction by Houthi fighters in 2015 while serving as chief of staff to the former president Abbas Mansour Hadi. As Yemen navigates these tumultuous waters, the international community continues to monitor the situation closely, particularly in relation to the humanitarian implications of the ongoing strife.
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