The IDF struck the Hodeidah and Al-Salif ports in Yemen on Friday, saying they are used to transfer weapons and are “another example of the cynical use and exploitation of civilian infrastructure by the Houthi terrorist regime to advance terrorism.”

The strikes were carried out by 15 IAF fighter jets, with over 35 munitions dropped on the ports.

The bombings will likely put these ports out of operational use for a month, according to IDF estimates. The targets that were hit were more international and more central for the Yemen-based terrorist group than those that the US targeted when it was striking Houthi targets in Yemen.

Strikes on the Hodeidah and Al-Salif ports in Yemen, May 16, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Strikes on the Hodeidah and Al-Salif ports in Yemen, May 16, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Defense Minister Israel Katz said on X/Twitter that the military “severely damaged” the ports it attacked in Yemen.

“As we said, if the Houthis continue to fire missiles toward the State of Israel, they will suffer painful blows – and we will also target terror leaders as we have done with [Hamas military leader Mohammad] Deif and the Sinwars [brothers] in Gaza, [Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah in Beirut, and [Hamas political leader Ismail] Haniyeh in Tehran. We will hunt down and eliminate [Yemenite political and religious leader] Abdul-Malik al-Houthi in Yemen as well.”

“We will defend ourselves by our own strength against any enemy,” Katz concluded.

The IDF said it conducted the strikes after numerous prior warnings.

“Given the Houthis’ use of these ports for terrorist purposes, the IDF again warns anyone present at the ports to evacuate and stay away from the area,” the military said. “Any hostile activity in these ports will continue to be prevented.”

The army concluded that “the IDF is determined to continue operating and striking forcefully against anyone who poses a threat to the residents of the State of Israel, at any distance necessary.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented that “our pilots have successfully struck two Houthi terrorist ports again, and this is just the beginning; there will be more to come. We are not willing to sit idly by and allow the Houthis to harm us. We will strike them much harder, including their leadership and all the infrastructure that enables them to harm us.”

The prime minister concluded that “the one behind them, that provides them support, guidance and approval, is Iran. The Houthis will pay a very heavy price, and we will defend ourselves by all means necessary to ensure the security of the State of Israel.”

Israel reportedly waited for US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East to conclude before attacking Yemen, a security source told Army Radio.

Jerusalem is allegedly seeking to impose a naval blockade on the Houthis, Sky News in Arabic reported, citing an Israeli source.

A man and children join protesters, mainly Houthi supporters, in a rally in solidarity with Palestinians, in Sanaa, Yemen May 9, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Adel Al Khader TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
A man and children join protesters, mainly Houthi supporters, in a rally in solidarity with Palestinians, in Sanaa, Yemen May 9, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Adel Al Khader TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Not the first time the IAF struck at the Yemeni ports

The Israeli air force reportedly conducted airstrikes at the same three Houthi-controlled Yemen ports on Sunday following a warning from the IDF’s Arabic spokesperson, Col. Avichay Adraee, that locals should evacuate until further notice.

Over the last week, the Yemen-based terrorist group has fired four missiles at Israel, about 2,200 km. (1,400 mi.) southeast, with one falling short and landing in Saudi Arabia. The IDF intercepted all of the remaining ones.