Israel has launched a widespread assault across the Middle East, with IDF fighter jets bombing Syria and traveling nearly 2,000 km to strike multiple targets in Yemen.
On September 29, Israel launched simultaneous airstrikes on four countries and territories in the Middle East, targeting the Palestinian Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. This marked a significant escalation in the region’s tensions, with Israel showing no signs of slowing down its military operations.Among the most notable strikes were those in Yemen, a country nearly 2,000 km from Israel, where IDF fighter jets bombed several key sites in the Houthi-controlled Hudaydah province.
The attacks came in response to an alleged assassination attempt on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On September 28, Houthi forces reportedly launched supersonic missiles at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, aiming to target Netanyahu.Israel’s retaliation saw precise strikes on critical infrastructure in Yemen, including Hudaydah port, Rais port, Khali power plant, and Ras Qusayb. Explosions rocked fuel storage facilities in the area, further destabilizing an already war-torn region. This is the second time Israel has targeted Houthi forces in Yemen, with accusations surfacing that Israeli airstrikes have also hit civilian areas and key infrastructure.
The long-range mission required Israeli F-15I and F-35I jets to travel nearly 5,000 km round trip, with mid-air refueling and coordination from neighboring countries to complete the operation. This latest series of airstrikes underlines Israel’s firm stance against any threats, particularly following the missile strike on its capital by the Houthis.
The Houthi forces in Yemen maintain a robust air defense network, and they claim to have shot down at least 11 MQ-9 drones, resulting in significant losses for the U.S. military. Recognizing the strength of these defenses, Israel exercised caution in its second wave of attacks, targeting areas beyond the reach of Houthi air defenses.
On September 29, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a large-scale operation involving dozens of aircraft, including fighter jets, tankers, and reconnaissance planes. The strikes focused on the ports of Hodeidah and Ras Issa, as well as surrounding Houthi-controlled areas, in retaliation for recent Houthi attacks on Israel.According to the Times of Israel, the assault occurred approximately 1,800 km from Israel. Since the renewed outbreak of conflict between Israel and the Palestinians last October, Houthi militias in Yemen have repeatedly launched missiles and drones targeting Israel’s southern port city of Eilat and the Red Sea, aiming to pressure Israel into halting its military actions in Gaza.
In addition to these efforts, the Houthis have also targeted Israeli and Western merchant ships in the Red Sea with missile strikes, further heightening tensions in the region.
Although Syria and Israel have long been at odds, the Syrian government has maintained a neutral stance in the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict, focusing instead on resolving its internal civil war and dealing with rebel groups. However, despite Syria’s neutrality, Israel continues to conduct regular airstrikes within Syrian territory and has now been accused of targeting high-ranking Syrian military officials.
According to reports from Newarab and Israeli sources, one such target was Maher al-Assad, the brother of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Commander of the 4th Armored Division. The attack reportedly took place while Maher was in discussions with senior officials from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Israel claims that Maher al-Assad has close ties to the IRGC, and the intelligence that led to the strike was said to be highly reliable.
Some speculate that leaks from within Iran or Syria may have played a crucial role in the success of Israel’s operation.While Syria has stayed out of the recent conflicts involving Israel, including those with Hamas and Hezbollah, this incident suggests that Israel may no longer allow Syria to remain neutral. As the conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors intensifies, Israel appears determined to eliminate any perceived threats, leaving no room for opposition to survive. The ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict continues to escalate, turning into a life-or-death struggle for the region.
