Abdel-Malek al-Houthi Photo: Parstoday
Accusations from Houthis and Israel’s Response
According to Israel Hayom, Houthi leader Abdel-Malek al-Houthi stated that the purpose of Israel’s attack on the port of Al-Hodeidah was to damage Yemen’s economy. He claims that the Israeli airstrikes were also intended to showcase an apparent achievement through images of the port fire. In response, Israel asserts that the strikes targeted only military objectives.
Regarding the drone attack on Tel Aviv on the night between Friday and Saturday, al-Houthi noted, “We have expanded our front to the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. At each stage, we have used new weapons. Tel Aviv is the administrative and strategic center of Israel. The drone reached the heart of this center, marking the fifth stage in a new strategy.”
Errors by the Houthis and Their Consequences
A former senior Houthi official commented to Israel Hayom that the pro-Iranian militia made a grave mistake with its attacks on Israel. In his view, it would have been better to support the Palestinians financially, through media campaigns, or humanitarian aid, as other Arab states do. Direct conflict with Israel only endangers the Yemeni civilian population, which is already suffering from a humanitarian crisis.
The former official emphasized that the militia uses tens of millions of Yemenis as human shields when launching rockets that kill Israeli civilians. He expressed concern that Israel might impose a naval and aerial blockade on Yemen, with the Yemeni people bearing the consequences.
Photo: IPA
Saudi Arabia’s Reaction
Saudi Arabia has expressed satisfaction with Israel’s attack on the port of Al-Hodeidah but emphasized that it was not involved in Operation “Long Arm” against the Houthis. A Saudi spokesperson stated that the kingdom would not allow any party to violate its airspace and is monitoring the situation closely.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed concern over the escalation of the conflict in Yemen following the Israeli attacks, which increases regional tensions and undermines efforts to end the war in Gaza. Meanwhile, Saudi activists highlighted that Riyadh had repeatedly warned the international community about the Houthi use of the Al-Hodeidah port for terrorist purposes.
Issues and Perspectives
A Saudi researcher pointed out that the Houthis do not act in the interest of Palestinians or Yemen. He noted that those who kill their own countrymen cannot support the Palestinians, and those who launch rockets at Mecca cannot protect Jerusalem. According to him, the militia is used by Iran as a tool to achieve its own interests.
In addition, new details about the attack have emerged in the Saudi newspaper Okaz. Witnesses reported that in Al-Hodeidah, power was cut in several neighborhoods, and the fire raged without intervention from firefighters.
