On July 20, Israeli warplanes carried out a series of strikes targeting port, fuel, and power infrastructure in the coastal city of al-Hudaydah, Yemen. This action was in retaliation for a Houthi drone attack against Tel Aviv on Friday..Operation Outstretched Arm.In a statement, the IDF announced that Israeli fighter jets "conducted an extensive operational strike over 1,800km away against Houthi terrorist military targets in the area of Al Hudaydah Port in Yemen. This port serves as an entryway for Iranian weapons for the Houthi terrorist regime.".Separately, IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari stated that Israeli strikes were carried out on "Houthi military targets," such as the city's port, which is "used by the Houthis as a main supply route for the transfer of Iranian weapons from Iran to Yemen, like the UAV itself that was used in the attack on Friday morning."."In the area of the port, the Israeli Air Force struck dual-use infrastructure used for terrorist activities, including energy infrastructures," he added..The Targets.The most notable target hit by Israeli strikes was the fuel depot attached to the port of al-Hudaydah, which caused a large-scale fire that continues to burn (GEO: 14.827842038171068, 42.93856266413033)..Before and after satellite imagery provided by Maxar shows extensive damage to fuel stores..At least 29 fuel storage tanks were destroyed by the strikes or spreading fire, and several other tanks were likely damaged..Additionally, the strikes targeted the port's two primary container cranes (GEO: 14.839272065926043, 42.93678718357605). Several other mobile cranes are reported to have been damaged or destroyed as well..Lastly, a power station located north of al-Hudaydah was also struck, although the exact extent of the damage remains unknown at this time (GEO: 14.990302518860725, 42.91073492185415).Impact.While the strikes targeted infrastructure that can be considered dual-use, the largest impact will be on civilians living in the region..The port of al-Hudaydah is considered one of the primary entry points for humanitarian aid to the country plagued with food and medicine shortages. In 2015, strikes on port infrastructure during the Saudi-led Operation Golden Victory drastically reduced the port's ability to offload relief supplies for the civilian population. Some of the cranes damaged or destroyed during the strikes were ultimately replaced by American-funded equipment..According to the US-based Navanti Group, the strikes reduced the port's fuel storage capacity from 150,000 to 50,000 tonnes. Immediately following the strikes, there were reports of Yemeni civilians rushing to gas stations to stock up on fuel amid an expected shortage..The strikes also caused localized power outages; however, the Yemeni News Agency reported that "electricity service has been fully restored to Hodeidah Governorate from alternative sources in conjunction with large and joint efforts to contain the fire caused by the bombing of diesel fuel tanks at the station.".Conclusion.In the words of Israeli Knesset member Amir Ohana, the strikes were meant to send "a message for all the Middle East," signaling near-immediate repercussions for attacks against Israel. However, these strikes will likely have little impact on Houthi attack capabilities and are likely to only embolden the group..As observed with American-led strikes against the Houthis over the past nine months, little has been done to degrade the Houthis' missile and drone capabilities, and the group continues to carry out routine attacks against commercial shipping vessels in the region..The Houthis will likely ramp up attack efforts against Israel itself, although the effectiveness remains to be seen. Friday's drone attack against Tel Aviv, which used a new drone type, marked the Houthis' most successful strike against Israel to date. Up until that point, most attack efforts either failed or were claimed despite no evidence to back them..Likewise, attacks against commercial vessels are also likely to increase, especially through the use of unmanned surface vessels (USV), which have sunk at least one vessel and damaged several others..Those most impacted by the strikes will be Yemen's civilian population, which may fuel more support for the Houthis.
On July 20, Israeli warplanes carried out a series of strikes targeting port, fuel, and power infrastructure in the coastal city of al-Hudaydah, Yemen. This action was in retaliation for a Houthi drone attack against Tel Aviv on Friday..Operation Outstretched Arm.In a statement, the IDF announced that Israeli fighter jets "conducted an extensive operational strike over 1,800km away against Houthi terrorist military targets in the area of Al Hudaydah Port in Yemen. This port serves as an entryway for Iranian weapons for the Houthi terrorist regime.".Separately, IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari stated that Israeli strikes were carried out on "Houthi military targets," such as the city's port, which is "used by the Houthis as a main supply route for the transfer of Iranian weapons from Iran to Yemen, like the UAV itself that was used in the attack on Friday morning."."In the area of the port, the Israeli Air Force struck dual-use infrastructure used for terrorist activities, including energy infrastructures," he added..The Targets.The most notable target hit by Israeli strikes was the fuel depot attached to the port of al-Hudaydah, which caused a large-scale fire that continues to burn (GEO: 14.827842038171068, 42.93856266413033)..Before and after satellite imagery provided by Maxar shows extensive damage to fuel stores..At least 29 fuel storage tanks were destroyed by the strikes or spreading fire, and several other tanks were likely damaged..Additionally, the strikes targeted the port's two primary container cranes (GEO: 14.839272065926043, 42.93678718357605). Several other mobile cranes are reported to have been damaged or destroyed as well..Lastly, a power station located north of al-Hudaydah was also struck, although the exact extent of the damage remains unknown at this time (GEO: 14.990302518860725, 42.91073492185415).Impact.While the strikes targeted infrastructure that can be considered dual-use, the largest impact will be on civilians living in the region..The port of al-Hudaydah is considered one of the primary entry points for humanitarian aid to the country plagued with food and medicine shortages. In 2015, strikes on port infrastructure during the Saudi-led Operation Golden Victory drastically reduced the port's ability to offload relief supplies for the civilian population. Some of the cranes damaged or destroyed during the strikes were ultimately replaced by American-funded equipment..According to the US-based Navanti Group, the strikes reduced the port's fuel storage capacity from 150,000 to 50,000 tonnes. Immediately following the strikes, there were reports of Yemeni civilians rushing to gas stations to stock up on fuel amid an expected shortage..The strikes also caused localized power outages; however, the Yemeni News Agency reported that "electricity service has been fully restored to Hodeidah Governorate from alternative sources in conjunction with large and joint efforts to contain the fire caused by the bombing of diesel fuel tanks at the station.".Conclusion.In the words of Israeli Knesset member Amir Ohana, the strikes were meant to send "a message for all the Middle East," signaling near-immediate repercussions for attacks against Israel. However, these strikes will likely have little impact on Houthi attack capabilities and are likely to only embolden the group..As observed with American-led strikes against the Houthis over the past nine months, little has been done to degrade the Houthis' missile and drone capabilities, and the group continues to carry out routine attacks against commercial shipping vessels in the region..The Houthis will likely ramp up attack efforts against Israel itself, although the effectiveness remains to be seen. Friday's drone attack against Tel Aviv, which used a new drone type, marked the Houthis' most successful strike against Israel to date. Up until that point, most attack efforts either failed or were claimed despite no evidence to back them..Likewise, attacks against commercial vessels are also likely to increase, especially through the use of unmanned surface vessels (USV), which have sunk at least one vessel and damaged several others..Those most impacted by the strikes will be Yemen's civilian population, which may fuel more support for the Houthis.
