Yemeni Armed Forces Target Industrial Zone in Occupied Askalan with Drones

The Yemeni Armed Forces have significantly escalated their operations over the past 24 hours, targeting the “American-British-Israeli triad” through a series of complex land and sea strikes.

In two separate statements on Tuesday, the Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announced a successful drone operation targeting the industrial zone of the Zionist enemy in the southern occupied city of Askalan in Palestine. The operation, which deployed multiple drones, reportedly reached its targets with Allah’s support. This action, according to Brigadier General Saree, falls under the fifth phase of escalation and serves as retaliation for the Zionist crimes in Gaza and Lebanon.

Shortly before the Askalan strike, Brigadier General Saree detailed three additional operations by the Yemeni Armed Forces, which targeted enemy vessels in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The first operation, he explained, struck the ship “SC MONTREAL” in the southern Arabian Sea with two drones. The second hit the “MAERSK KOWLOON” in the Arabian Sea using a cruise missile, while the third targeted the “MOTARO” in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb with a series of ballistic missiles. According to  Saree, all three operations achieved direct, precise strikes.

In both statements, the Yemeni Armed Forces reiterated that these military operations would not cease until the blockade on Gaza is lifted and aggression on Lebanon is halted.

A Steadfast Stance in Support of Gaza

The recent escalation from the Yemeni Armed Forces is part of an intensified fifth phase of operations meant to send a painful message to the temporary Zionist entity. Sana’a remains unshaken by the American, Israeli, and Western-Arab coalition threats, despite enemy movements and internal efforts to spark a renewed war. which have hoped to end Yemen’s continued commitment to target and strike the enemy entity, both in maritime battles and through deep strikes within Israeli territory, which have persisted since November 2023. Yemeni leaders have underscored their unwavering support for Palestinian and Lebanese causes—support rooted in duty and principle, immune to compromise or negotiation.

Notably, since the significant strike last July by Yemeni drones on Yaffa, and ballistic attacks deep in the “Israeli” territory in September 2024, Israeli threats against Yemen have intensified. The entity’s Prime Minister Netanyahu recently warned that Yemen would “pay a heavy price” for its continued resistance, declaring, “They should have known that any attempt to harm us incurs a high price.” However, Yemeni officials remain unfazed by these threats, reiterating that Yemen’s commitment to support Palestine and Lebanon is non-negotiable, embedded in both faith and principle.

This determination has seen Yemen continuously strike Zionist targets and vessels tied to enemy ports for nearly a year, undeterred by political calculations or costs.

The significance of these operations, targeting ships in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Bab al-Mandeb Strait, as well as the industrial zone in Askalan, lies in their timing—coming just one day after the Yemeni Armed Forces conducted a large-scale military exercise, “until sorrow is etched upon your faces”. This exercise carried numerous messages and implications, foremost among them being Yemen’s high readiness for any aggressive assault from four different directions. Combined with these targeted strikes, the military exercise sends a clear message to the adversary that the Yemeni Armed Forces are resolute in their commitment to support the Palestinian and Lebanese people, regardless of the challenges and consequences.

Askalan in the Crosshairs

Brigadier General Saree announced that the drones successfully reached targets in the industrial zone of Askalan, despite enemy defenses. This strike represents a severe blow to the occupying forces, as Askalan lies just 21 kilometers north of Gaza and only 56 kilometers from occupied Yaffa, linking to Yafa only via a central route. Although specific facilities were not disclosed, the industrial area houses critical resources, including gas pipelines and oil storage near the shore.

Unlike previous statements, the Yemeni Armed Forces did not reveal the type of drones used, creating further unease in Zionist ranks as advanced Yemeni weapons continuously penetrate Israeli defenses and cause considerable damage.

Economic analyst Rasheed Al-Haddad commented on the Ashkelon strike, describing it as highly “focused within Askalan’s industrial zone,” noting that it reflects “a qualitative shift in Yemeni operations.” Al-Haddad emphasized that the Yemeni Armed Forces’ target bank now includes essential Israeli industrial and economic centers. Operations in occupied Yaffa over the past year, for instance, have significantly impacted foreign investment in occupied Palestine, leading Brigadier General Saree in July to declare Yaffa an “unsafe city,” which caused a major investor withdrawal.

According to Al-Haddad, “$40 billion has already been withdrawn from occupied Palestine by Israeli investors fleeing abroad.” He stressed that this represents a critical economic indicator as the conflict increasingly strikes deep within the entity’s economy. This latest operation aligns with ongoing Hezbollah action in the same economic arena, which, Al-Haddad noted, will continue to “break the Israeli entity in the coming period.”