Operation Long Arm, the code name for Israel’s counter-terror strikes in Yemen, sends a message almost as forceful as the payload of its F-15s. Iran may have an extensive network of proxies through which to attack Israel but the IDF will go whatever distance necessary to defend itself. In this instance 1,200 miles to Al Hudaydah, a port city controlled by Ansar Allah, more commonly known as the Houthis, where a fuel depot was turned into a fireball on Saturday.
If Operation Long Arm disrupts the Houthis’ activities significantly, the world will owe a debt to Israel, not that it is likely to be acknowledged
It marks the first time Israel has hit Yemeni territory and comes one day after the Houthis assaulted Tel Aviv with an Iranian-manufactured drone, killing one and injuring ten. The terror group has been bombarding Israel with drones for the past nine months but until yesterday all were intercepted without Israeli casualties.
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