The Israeli Air Force has struck Yemen following an attack on Israel by the Houthi group

Israel launched airstrikes in Yemen on July 20, 2024, following a recent airstrike against Israel by Yemen’s Houthi group. The airstrikes included a major attack on a fuel depot in the port of al-Hudaydah, which is now engulfed in flames. This is the first instance of Israeli military action in Yemen since October 7, 2023.
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A fuel depot in Al-Hudaydah, Yemen’s key port on the Red Sea coast, burns intensely after Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen on July 20, 2024, in response to a drone attack by Yemen’s Houthi group. (Image source: Video Social Network X)

The Israeli airstrikes were a direct response to a July 19, 2024, drone strike against Israel by Yemen’s Houthi group. The Houthis launched a Samad-3 drone that hit Tel Aviv, causing a large explosion that killed one person and injured ten. Following this unprecedented attack, Israel quickly targeted strategic Houthi assets in Yemen to prevent them from launching further attacks.

Samad, also spelled Sammad, is a series of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of unknown origin, primarily used in the Middle East. The Samad family has three variants: Samad-1, Samad-2 (also known as “Upi-X”) and Samad-3. These UAVs are primarily used by the Houthi movement in the Yemeni civil war to target targets in Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates due to their extended range capabilities.

The Samad-3 is an “extended range” version equipped with a conformal fuel tank mounted on top of the aircraft. Its dimensions include an estimated wingspan of 4.5 meters and a length of 2.80 meters, similar to the Samad-2. According to the Houthis, the Samad-3 has a range of 1,500 kilometers and can carry an explosive payload. According to other military sources, the flight range is about 1,800 kilometers. Despite its extended range, the Samad-3 is described as “cheap, small, slow and clumsy”, making it unlikely to hit targets with high accuracy.

The Israeli military has also launched an investigation into the failure of its air defense systems for the drone, which was detected but not neutralized, apparently due to human error.

Since the beginning of 2024, the defense situation between Israel and Yemen’s Houthi group has significantly escalated. The Houthis have increased their missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, aiming to disrupt maritime traffic and target ships with alleged ties to Israel. These attacks caused a marked drop in shipping through the Red Sea, forcing many ships to take longer routes around Africa.

In response, Israel strengthened its defenses, particularly around strategic locations such as Eilat. The Israeli military successfully intercepted several Houthi missiles using its Arrow air defense system. These actions underscore the threat posed by the Houthis, who continue to receive sophisticated weapons from Iran.

In addition, the United States and its allies have conducted multiple airstrikes against Houthi targets, including missile launch sites and submarines, to reduce threats to international shipping and support regional stability.

The impact of the conflict goes beyond the military as it also affects global maritime trade and regional security. The actions of Yemen’s Houthis have led to increased insurance costs and changes in shipping lines, further straining international economic activity.

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