Yemen's Houthis say the country activated its air defenses after Israel launched airstrikes

Yemenis cary the coffins of 31 local journalists reportedly killed in Israeli airstrikes last week, during their funeral in Sanaa, Yemen, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)

ADEN, Yemen (AP) — Yemen on Tuesday activated its air defenses after Israel launched strikes on the country, a spokesperson for the Houthi military group said on social media.

“Our air defenses are currently confronting the Israeli aircrafts that are launching an aggression against our country,” spokesperson Yayha Saree posted on X.

Israel’s military issued a warning for the port city of Hodeida as part of its conflict with the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

Israeli military spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee urged residents of Hodeida to evacuate ahead of the attack which he said will occur in the coming hours.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

ADEN, Yemen (AP) — Hundreds attended funeral services Tuesday for 31 Yemeni journalists who were reported killed in Israeli airstrikes last week that targeted Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the capital of Sanaa.

The strikes last Wednesday followed a drone launched by the Houthis that breached Israel’s multilayered air defenses and slammed into a southern Israeli airport, blowing out glass windows and injuring one person.

In Yemen, dozens were reported killed, including the journalists, in the strikes that hit Sanaa, including residential areas, a military headquarters and a fuel station, according to the health ministry in the rebel-held northern part of the country. .

The National Museum of Yemen in Sanaa was also damaged, according to the rebels’ culture ministry, with footage from the site showings damage to the building’s façade. A government facility in the city of Hazm, the capital of northern Jawf province, was also hit.

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A Houthi officer mourns over a coffin of one of 31 local journalists reportedly killed in Israeli airstrikes last week, during their funeral inside the Shaab Mosque in Sanaa, Yemen, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)

Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV broadcast the funerals Tuesday, showing dozens inside a mosque and the caskets being carried ahead of the burial. An honor guard stood beside the coffins.

The turnout was lower than expected for such a a “huge loss,” according to Khaled Rageh and Ahmed Malhy, who attended the funerals, likely because heavy morning rain kept some away. The two men spoke to The Associated Press by phone.

Israel has previously launched waves of airstrikes in response to the Houthis’ firing missiles and drones at Israel. The Houthis say they are attacking in solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in the Gaza Strip. The Houthis have also targeted ships in the Red Sea for over 22 months.

The Committee to Protect Journalists told The Associated Press on Monday that the organization is still actively looking into the reported deaths of Yemeni journalists but was having difficulties in verifying facts on the ground in rebel-held Sanaa.

“The information environment is highly restricted — Houthi authorities have imposed strict censorship, including a ban on sharing photos or videos related to the airstrikes," the CPJ said.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch in a Monday post said Israeli airstrikes in Sanaa also hit a media center housing the headquarters of two newspapers, describing it as another example of the dangers facing journalists in Yemen.

“The recent Israeli forces’ attack further highlights the threats journalists are facing in Yemen, not just by domestic authorities but also by external warring parties,” said HRW.

Mohammed al-Basha, a Yemen analyst, said on X that the strikes hit as staffers at the “September 26” newspaper gathered to prepare the paper's next edition.

Yemeni honor guards stand beside the coffins of 31 local journalists reportedly killed in Israeli airstrikes last week, during their funeral in Sanaa, Yemen, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)

Yemenis cary the coffins of 31 local journalists reportedly killed in Israeli airstrikes last week, during their funeral in Sanaa, Yemen, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)

Yemenis pray over the coffins of 31 local journalists reportedly killed in Israeli airstrikes last week, during their funeral inside the Shaab Mosque in Sanaa, Yemen, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)