Israel launches military operation 'Black Flag', declares Yemen will be treated like Iran
Early on the morning of July 7, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a large-scale bombing campaign codenamed "Black Flag" targeting key infrastructure in Yemen. Israel accused the Houthi forces of using these civilian facilities for military purposes.
The air campaign targeting one of the world's poorest countries was announced by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and the IDF early on July 7.
“These ports are used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transport weapons from the Iranian regime, which are used to carry out terrorist activities against the State of Israel and its allies,” the IDF said in a statement.
The operation was described as a direct response to drone and missile attacks from Houthi-controlled territory targeting Israel in recent weeks.
The IDF said one of the targets attacked in Ras Isa was the commercial ship Galaxy Leader, which was captured by Houthi forces in November 2023. According to the IDF, the militants equipped the ship with a radar system to monitor maritime traffic in the Red Sea and support attacks on commercial vessels. The Ras Kanatib power plant was also described by the IDF as a legitimate target, as it serves as the main power supply hub for Houthi military operations.
Defense Minister Katz said Israel views the Houthis as part of a network of Iranian-backed forces in the region. "As I have warned, Yemen will be treated like Tehran," Katz wrote in a statement on social media X. "Anyone who tries to harm Israel will be harmed, and anyone who raises a hand against Israel will be cut off. The Houthis will continue to pay a heavy price for their actions."
Israel accuses the Houthi movement of acting as a "central proxy of the Iranian regime" and receiving weapons and funding to support its global terrorist campaign.
The Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea since late 2023, claiming they were in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza conflict. Although US President Donald Trump brokered a deal in May to halt the attacks, the group has warned it will resume if Washington supports Israeli attacks on Iran. Following a ceasefire between Israel and Iran last month, the Houthis have fired several drones and missiles at Israel. Israel's latest retaliatory airstrikes mark the largest-scale military action in Yemen since the May attacks.
