In the early hours of Monday morning, Israeli occupation forces launched a wave of aerial aggression against Yemen’s coastal city of Hodeidah, with at least 20 airstrikes targeting critical infrastructure.

However, Yemen’s resilient air defense systems successfully repelled a significant portion of the assault, in what military officials are calling a “defensive triumph” for the Yemeni Armed Forces.

Local sources confirmed that the Israeli airstrikes targeted vital facilities, including the ports of Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Issa, as well as the Ras Qatif power station. Among the targets was also the Galaxy Leader vessel, a ship linked to the Israeli regime that had been captured by the Yemeni Armed Forces on November 19, 2023.

Despite the intensity of the assault—reportedly involving 53 missiles according to Israeli media—Yemen’s air defense forces mounted a strong response. Military sources told Al Mayadeen that surface-to-air missiles forced ten Israeli warplanes to retreat before they could complete their missions. As a result, Israeli forces failed to carry out intended strikes in other Yemeni governorates.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, reaffirmed Yemen’s readiness to confront any Zionist aggression. “Our air defenses are prepared and fully capable of confronting Israeli attacks with force and determination,” Saree stated.

Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz attempted to justify the aggression, declaring that Israeli forces were “vigorously attacking” targets in Yemen. However, the Israeli assault was met with firm resistance and did not achieve its full objectives.

In a bold counter-response, the Yemeni Armed Forces launched two missiles towards Israeli targets in occupied Palestine around 3:45 a.m. local time. Though intercepted by Israeli forces, the missile launches triggered sirens across the southern occupied West Bank and near the Dead Sea, further highlighting Yemen’s growing reach and resolve.

Nasruddin Amer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Yemeni News Agency (SABA), reiterated Yemen’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people. In a post on X, Amer declared, “Operations in support of Gaza will not cease until the aggression ends and the blockade is lifted. The Zionist regime has not and will not be able to stop Yemeni strikes deep inside its territory.”

He further warned: “Not a single ship will pass through our armed forces' area of operations.”

Brigadier General Saree echoed this commitment, emphasizing that Israeli attacks would not weaken Yemen’s defensive capabilities or its solidarity with Palestine. “Yemen’s support for Gaza and the Palestinian resistance will continue at a high pace,” he stated.

The latest developments signal not only Yemen’s increasing military capability but also its steadfast political stance in defending the oppressed Palestinian people and resisting Zionist aggression across the region. (ILKHA)