Airstrikes and Allegations: The Chaos in Yemen and Journalism Under Fire

In a tense escalation of conflict, Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels announced the activation of their air defences in response to Israeli airstrikes on the port city of Hodeida. A Houthi spokesperson, Yayha Saree, declared that their air defences were confronting Israeli aircraft engaged in hostilities against Yemen.

The Israeli military issued a statement confirming the strikes on what they termed 'military infrastructure' at the port of Hodeida, stating the location was used by the Houthi regime for the transfer of Iranian-supplied weapons intended for attacks on Israel and its allies. The Houthi air defences reportedly caused confusion among Israeli aircraft, preventing deeper incursions into Yemen.

This latest military action unfolded amidst funerals for Yemeni journalists killed in earlier Israeli strikes on Sanaa, which followed a Houthi-launched drone attack breaching Israeli airspace. The attacks have intensified scrutiny on the risks faced by journalists in Yemen, exacerbated by restricted information flows and censorship in Houthi-controlled regions.