Israel’s military has urged civilians to evacuate three strategic ports in Yemen—Ras Issa, Hodeida, and Salif—amid escalating retaliatory strikes against Houthi rebels. The warning follows recent Israeli airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled areas in response to missile attacks, including one that struck near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport earlier this month.
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May 12, 2025

Israel’s military has urged civilians to evacuate three strategic ports in Yemen—Ras Issa, Hodeida, and Salif—amid escalating retaliatory strikes against Houthi rebels. The warning follows recent Israeli airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled areas in response to missile attacks, including one that struck near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport earlier this month.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee cautioned residents in Arabic to leave the ports immediately, citing their use by the “terrorist Houthi regime” for military operations. The advisory did not specify an imminent attack but emphasized the need for civilians to avoid the area for their safety.

The port of Hodeida, a critical hub for humanitarian aid, was hit by Israeli airstrikes last week after Houthi forces launched a long-range missile toward central Israel. The attack marked a rare breach of Israeli air defenses, further intensifying tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed rebel group.

Defense Minister Israel Katz has vowed a forceful response to continued Houthi aggression, stating that Israel will strike targets in Yemen and elsewhere as needed. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have repeatedly targeted Israeli and international shipping in the Red Sea, pledging to continue attacks in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict.

The latest warnings mirror those issued before Israeli strikes on the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, earlier this week. With neither side showing signs of de-escalation, regional observers fear a prolonged cycle of retaliation could further destabilize the already volatile region.

As the conflict intensifies, concerns grow over the humanitarian impact on Yemeni civilians, particularly in Hodeida, where previous airstrikes have disrupted vital aid deliveries. The international community continues to call for restraint, but with both sides entrenched in their positions, the risk of wider escalation remains high.