Israel launched strikes on Yemen's Hodeidah port on Tuesday, the latest wave of attacks on the country, saying it was targeting military infrastructure belonging to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Houthi-linked Al Masirah TV reported that 12 strikes hit the port. The Israeli military later confirmed the attack, claiming Hodeidah is used by the Houthis "for the transfer of weapons supplied by the Iranian regime in order to execute attacks against the state of Israel and its allies".
It added that the strikes were "in response to the repeated attacks" by the Houthis against Israel, including the launching of drones and surface-to-surface missiles.
Shortly after the attack on the port, the Israeli military said it intercepted another ballistic missile launched from Yemen.
The military issued a warning for ships and people to leave Hodeidah port hours before the attack. "In the coming hours, a strike will be carried out ... in response to military activity by the Houthi terrorist regime," Israeli military spokesman Lt Col Avichay Adraee said on X. "For your safety, we urge everyone in Hodeidah port and the vessels anchored there to evacuate the area immediately."
The Houthis said defence systems were launched against the Israeli attacks. "Our air defences are currently confronting Israeli aircraft that are launching an aggression against our country," spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Saree said in a statement.
He added that the air defences “caused great confusion” for Israeli aircraft and forced some to leave Yemeni airspace.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz posted a warning to the Houthis on X, saying the group would "continue to suffer blows and pay painful prices for any attempt to attack the state of Israel".
The latest strikes came as hundreds attended funerals for 31 Yemeni journalists killed last week in Israeli strikes on Sanaa. Israel launched attacks on the capital and Al Jawf governorate, killing at least 46 people and injuring 165.
The Israeli military said at the time that Houthi targets were hit, including the group's military public relations headquarters and a fuel storage site. The Houthis have increased their attacks on Israel in recent months, using warheads with cluster munitions that scatter over a large area and can evade Israeli air defences.
The group has said its attacks are in support of the Palestinians. The Houthis began firing missiles and drones towards Israel after the start of the devastating war on Gaza, where more than 64,900 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks.
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Basquiat in Abu Dhabi
One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier.
It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.
“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
