Israeli airstrikes kill at least 35 in Yemen amid ongoing conflict
- Israeli airstrikes targeted military camps and infrastructure in Yemen's Sana'a and Al-Jawf.
- At least 35 people were killed, and over 130 were wounded in the attacks.
- These strikes underscore the ongoing regional conflict and raise concerns for cultural heritage in Yemen.
In Yemen, Israeli airstrikes occurred in late September 2025, targeting various Houthi positions in the capital Sana’a and Al-Jawf. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that these operations were aimed at military camps where Houthi operatives were believed to be gathering intelligence and planning attacks. The strikes also hit the headquarters of the Houthi military information department and a fuel storage facility utilized for military purposes. The military action was described as a response to ongoing Houthi drone and missile attacks on Israel, escalating the regional tensions significantly. Reports from the ground, particularly from the Houthi-run health ministry, indicate that the airstrikes resulted in the deaths of at least 35 individuals, with more than 130 others sustaining injuries. Most of the casualties were reported in Sana'a, where critical military infrastructure was directly impacted. Following these strikes, the Houthi Ministry of Culture revealed that Yemen's national museum was also damaged, raising concerns about the risk to thousands of historical artifacts housed there. The ministry has expressed its alarm and called for intervention from UNESCO to address the cultural heritage risks. The escalation in military actions reflects an increasingly complex conflict, wherein the Houthis—an Iran-aligned group—have continuously launched drone and missile attacks against Israel during the ongoing conflicts in the region, particularly relating to the Gaza war. Israel's launch of airstrikes in Yemen follows a recent and unprecedented attack in Qatar, where Israeli airstrikes targeted residences believed to house members of Hamas’s political bureau. These developments have drawn wide-ranging condemnation from the international community, including officials like U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and various governments across the Middle East. This incident marks a significant moment in the ongoing conflict, underscoring the troubled relations in the region. The ramifications of these airstrikes could further aggravate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, a country already facing severe challenges due to prolonged warfare and socio-political instability. Analysts and humanitarian organizations may need to monitor the situation closely as fears increase for the safety of civilians and irreplaceable cultural artifacts.