IAF Strike in Yemen: Operation “Black Flag” Targets Houthis
The IDF stated that the strikes were carried out under the guidance of the Military Intelligence Directorate and the Israeli Navy, and targeted sites used by the Houthis to transfer weapons and carry out terrorist activities
Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit
On the night between Sunday and Monday, July 7, 2025, the Israeli Air Force carried out a large-scale strike on Houthi targets in Yemen as part of Operation “Black Flag.” The strike focused on three key ports—Hudaydah, Ras Isa, and As-Salif—as well as the Ras Kantib power station, a major infrastructure facility supplying electricity to the Houthis. In addition, the merchant ship Galaxy Leader which had been hijacked by the Houthis in November 2023 and converted by them into a radar platform for monitoring vessels in international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, was also targeted.
The IDF stated that the strikes were guided by the Military Intelligence Directorate and the Israeli Navy, and focused on targets used by the Houthis to transfer weapons and carry out terrorist operations. The strike came in response to the launch of two ballistic missiles toward Israel at dawn that day, both of which were successfully intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reiterated his statement that “Yemen is the same as Tehran,” emphasizing Israel’s commitment to counter threats from Iran-backed terrorist actors.
The Galaxy Leader, a central target in the strike, was part of the Houthis’ maritime surveillance network, which disrupted international maritime trade in the Red Sea. The vessel, hijacked nearly two years ago, had been used by the group to monitor commercial ship movements as part of their efforts to disrupt maritime trade routes. The Ras Kantib power station, meanwhile, was a critical infrastructure for the Houthis’ operations, and its destruction marks a significant blow to the group’s operational capabilities.
The Israeli strike received wide media coverage and reflects Israel’s policy of decisive response against terror organizations cooperating with Iran. The Houthis, backed by the Iranian regime, continue to pose a threat to regional stability—particularly through their actions in the Red Sea. Operation “Black Flag” highlights Israel’s operational ability to act at long range, utilizing precise intelligence and advanced air power.
The strike is expected to provoke reactions from both the Houthis and Iran, and Israel is preparing for the possibility of further escalation. Nonetheless, the successful missile interceptions and the precision of the airstrikes demonstrate Israel’s military superiority and its determination to protect its citizens and strategic interests in the region.