Sana’a, August 23, 2025 – The conflict in the Middle East escalated further as Israel launched heavy airstrikes on Yemen’s capital Sana’a, targeting Houthi-controlled facilities. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the strikes hit an energy plant, a gas station, and several military bases used by Houthi rebels.
The assault comes just days after a cluster bomb was fired from Yemen toward Israel, marking what officials in Tel Aviv described as a “new threat.” In response, Israeli fighter jets carried out overnight raids on Houthi military infrastructure, including areas surrounding the Presidential Palace in Sana’a, which the IDF claimed had been repurposed for militant activities.
Residents Describe Massive Blasts
Locals near the Presidential Palace reported that the explosions were so powerful that nearby houses shook and windows shattered. Fireballs lit up the night sky as multiple buildings were engulfed in flames. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, though the extent of casualties has not yet been confirmed.
IDF: Retaliation Against Houthi Aggression
The Israeli military said the strikes were direct retaliation for the cluster bomb attack launched from Yemen on August 22. An Israeli defense official told reporters that this marked the first time Houthis deployed cluster munitions against Israel, escalating the threat level.
“The Houthis are operating under direct instructions from Iran to destabilize the region and harm Israel and its allies,” the IDF statement read.
IDF in a Massive Strike in Yemen
After the launch of a cluster missile and a draone towards israel in the past few days, the israeli airforce toge to the israeli navy navy now began a wave of ataks in more holiday targeets in suicide yemane.
Several Huthi… pic.twitter.com/60DPOJ5FOQ
– Voice from the East (@Easternvoices) August 24, 2025
Houthis and Regional Tensions
For nearly two years, Houthi rebels have been launching missiles and drones toward Israel, as well as targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea. They claim the attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where fighting between Israel and Hamas continues to rage.
The Associated Press reported that Friday’s cluster bomb attack was seen by Israeli intelligence as a serious escalation, prompting the swift air campaign against Yemen.
Regional Repercussions
Analysts warn that Israel’s expanding military operations against Iranian-backed proxies—including Hezbollah in Lebanon and now Houthis in Yemen—signal a broader confrontation across the Middle East. With Sana’a under fire and tensions boiling, fears of a wider regional war continue to grow
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