World War 3 appears to be advancing as we push farther toward the new year. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have decided to strike ports and power stations in Yemen in its ongoing battle against the Houthis in the Middle East.
Israel has struck ports and energy infrastructure in Yemen, targeting sites linked to the Houthi militant movement. The strikes were in retaliation for recent Houthi military actions, according to the IDF.
Warplanes struck locations that Israel claimed were being used for military purposes, “including ports and energy infrastructure in Sanaa,” Yemen’s capital, according to a report by RT.
A spokesman for the Houthis confirmed the attacks on X, claiming that the targets were civilian. IDF airstrikes killed nine people, including seven in the port of Salif and two at an oil facility at the port of Ras Isa, according to Nasruddin Amer, the deputy head of the Houthi media office.The Israelis also attacked two power stations in the capital, he reported, sharing images purportedly showing the aftermath. –RT
The Houthis have been attacking Israel for months in an attempt to enforce a naval blockade of the country by targeting traffic in the Red Sea in order to raise the cost of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Amer said the latest attack in Yemen will not deter the Houthis from “supporting Gaza, no matter the cost.”
The United States has joined in and has been attacking Yemen as well. The US has been conducting strikes in Yemen for months in what it calls a mission to protect freedom of navigation and deter attacks against its regional ally Israel.
Earlier this week, the Pentagon claimed it had targeted an Iranian-backed Houthi “key command and control facility” in Sanaa. These strikes by Israel and the U.S. could push the war into a more tense situation.
U.S. Attacks Yemen’s Capital With “Precision Airstrikes”
The U.S. is also seeking help from the United Nations for more power to intercept Red Sea shipments destined for the Houthi rebels. This is part of a concerted attempt to weaken the Iranian-backed group, according to the U.S. special envoy.
On December 16th, the Houthis fired a hypersonic missile at Tel Aviv, Israel’s capital. The Houthi movement that controls much of Yemen claimed to have successfully struck a target near Tel Aviv with the hypersonic ballistic missile. Israel said the missile was shot down on approach and caused no casualties.
All of these strikes are only ratcheting up tensions in an already strained situation that could lead to a regional war. It seems fortunate that things haven’t exploded further as this conflict rages on with no end in sight. This could be the beginning of another world war, although the recent assassination of Igor Kirillov by Ukraine could see a major response from Russia pushing the globe closer as well.
Everything feels incredibly tense, but nothing has pushed any country over the edge of taking a step that will involve others. At least we can be grateful it’s not worse. Yet.
