Sana’a: Israel on Thursday launched a series of airstrikes in the Yemeni capital of Sana’a, controlled by the Iran-aligned Houthi militia, local residents said, marking the latest development in the escalating military confrontation between the two sides.

According to Ghana News Agency, the Israeli military stated that the strikes were aimed at the Houthis’ military facilities in Sana’a, specifically targeting the militia’s general staff command headquarters. Eyewitnesses reported powerful explosions as a result of these strikes.

The Houthi-affiliated TV network, al-Masirah, described the incident as an ‘Israeli aggression’ against Sana’a but did not provide further details. Notably, the attack occurred concurrently with a televised address by the militia’s leader, Abdel-Malek al-Houthi.

The airstrikes followed a drone attack claimed by the Houthis in the city of Eilat in southern Israel, which injured 20 people according to rescue workers. This incident is part of a series of aggressive interactions since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023. The Houthis have been regularly launching missiles and drones targeting Israel in support of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement, prompting Israel to respond with attacks on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.