Israeli Strike on Yemeni Port Risks Civilian Lives, Not Houthis

Israeli Strike on Yemeni Port Will Harm Civilians, Not Houthis, Experts Say In a recent escalation of violence in the region, Israeli airstrikes targeting the vital Yemeni port of Hudaydah controlled by the Houthi militia have sparked concerns over the deepening human suffering in Yemen. Regional experts and analysts have warned that while the Israeli officials justified the bombing as a response to a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv, the strikes are unlikely to deter the group from further assaults but are poised to worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in Yemen. The barrage of Israeli airstrikes on Hudaydah on Saturday resulted in the deaths of three individuals and left 87 others injured, with many sustaining severe burns, as reported by the health ministry in the Houthi-controlled capital, Sana. The images and footage emerging from Hudaydah depict a massive fire engulfing the port, releasing thick black smoke into the atmosphere. Hudaydah port serves as a crucial channel for food supplies, fuel, and humanitarian aid reaching the impoverished northern region of Yemen, where millions rely on these imports for their survival. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, Israel's military spokesman, defended the bombardment as a necessary measure to counter Houthi terrorist activities, emphasizing that the strikes targeted "dual-use" facilities, including energy infrastructure in the port area. However, experts and observers specializing in Yemen affairs have cast doubt on the effectiveness of such attacks in deterring the Houthi militia, noting that the strikes are more likely to exacerbate the suffering of the Yemeni population, rather than significantly impacting the Houthis' military capabilities. According to Yemeni scholars and former American officials familiar with the situation in the country, the Israeli airstrikes on Hudaydah are expected to have a limited effect on the Houthi group's operations. Instead, the destruction caused by the bombing is anticipated to impede the flow of crucial supplies into Yemen, where millions are already grappling with the consequences of a protracted conflict and a severe humanitarian crisis. Adam Clements, a retired U.S. Army attaché for Yemen, remarked, "The target of the strike does more to hurt the average Yemeni than the Houthis' ability to launch attacks on the Red Sea or Israel. Hitting a radar site, a known launch site, or another military target could disrupt Houthi capabilities for a few days more than the port." As the situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate, with millions on the brink of famine and in urgent need of assistance, the international community is called upon to prioritize the well-being of civilians caught in the crossfire of regional conflicts. The Israeli strike on the Hudaydah port serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of armed confrontations on innocent lives and underscores the pressing need for a peaceful resolution to the protracted crisis in Yemen.