The United States has reportedly urged Israel to refrain from targeting Houthi positions in Yemen, according to an unnamed source who spoke to the Jerusalem Post. The request was clear: “Leave it to us.”
Israeli officials are currently deliberating on how to react to the recent missile attacks launched from Yemen, but it is believed that Israel will ultimately honor the American request.
On Thursday, two missiles were fired from Yemen towards Israel, marking the first attack in two months targeting Tel Aviv and Yerushalayim. Both missiles were intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems before they could reach Israeli soil.
Earlier in the day, the US conducted strikes on Houthi positions in the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah. Sources informed Ynet that the US had specifically asked Israel to avoid launching airstrikes similar to those carried out in the past by the Israeli Air Force on Houthi targets in Yemen.
It was added that while the IAF’s previous airstrikes were effective, the US believes it has more advanced capabilities, particularly with aircraft stationed on its carriers, allowing for more sustained and effective operations.
The United States began its airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen on Saturday evening as part of a message directed at Iran, a US official confirmed to The Jerusalem Post.
An official also shared with Reuters that the US air and naval operations would continue for “days, possibly weeks,” concentrating on destroying the Houthis’ radars, air defense systems, and missile and drone infrastructure.
The US informed Israel ahead of the strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. Earlier in the day, the US launched another wave of strikes in Hodeidah.
Despite these actions by the US, the Houthis have made it clear that they will not scale back their attacks on Israeli vessels in the Red Sea, dismissing both US military pressure and appeals from their allies, including Iran.
Jamal Amer, a Houthi spokesperson, spoke to Reuters late Monday, after the US had intensified its strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. He reiterated that the Houthis would continue their attacks on Red Sea shipping, citing their commitment to supporting Palestinians in Gaza.
Two high-ranking Iranian officials informed Reuters that Iran had sent a verbal message to the Houthi envoy in Tehran on Friday, urging them to de-escalate tensions. Iran’s foreign minister also requested that Oman, which has played a mediating role with the Houthis, deliver a similar message during a visit to Muscat on Sunday. Both officials requested anonymity.
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