Israeli Air Strikes Kill Nine in Yemen’s Capital Sanaa

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

Sanaa — Israeli fighter jets carried out a series of heavy air strikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, killing at least nine people and injuring 118 others, according to Houthi-run media outlets. The strikes, which follow recent Houthi drone attacks on Israel, have sparked fears of a broader regional escalation in the Middle East.

The Houthi-controlled health ministry confirmed the casualty figures, while Al-Masirah TV, a Houthi-affiliated network, reported that one missile destroyed a military headquarters in central Sanaa. Another strike hit a fuel station supplying hospitals, raising concerns about worsening humanitarian conditions in the already war-torn country.

Residents said they heard massive explosions as Israeli jets targeted several areas, including a government facility in Hazm, the capital of Jawf province. Thick smoke and flames could be seen rising over the city skyline.

Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree announced that the group fired surface-to-air missiles at Israeli aircraft during the strikes. Meanwhile, Houthi-backed President Mahdi al-Mashat vowed a forceful response, warning Israelis to “stay alarmed, since the retaliation is coming without fail.”

The Iran-backed Houthis claim their attacks on Israel — including a drone strike on a southern Israeli airport earlier this week — are in support of Hamas and Palestinians in Gaza. The group has also been accused of targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea linked to Israel.

The Yemen strikes came just a day after Israel carried out an unprecedented air assault on Doha, Qatar, targeting senior Hamas officials. While the Hamas leadership reportedly survived, the attack killed five people, including bodyguards and political aides. The strike drew strong international condemnation, especially since Qatar has been a key mediator in ceasefire and hostage negotiations.

The regional escalation has also drawn sharp criticism from Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that she would push for sanctions and a suspension of Israel’s free trade agreement with the EU, citing Europe’s “painful inability” to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Analysts warn that Israel’s concurrent strikes in Yemen and Qatar risk widening the Gaza conflict into a full-scale regional war, threatening fragile ceasefire negotiations and the release of hostages.