Israel shoots down a missile fired from Yemen hours after a deadly Israeli strike on Houthi rebels

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military said it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen early Sunday, hours after Israeli warplanes struck several Houthi targets in the Arabian Peninsula country.

The Israeli airstrikes — in response to a deadly Houthi drone strike on Tel Aviv — were the first time Israel is known to have responded to repeated Houthi attacks throughout its nine-month war against Hamas. The burst of violence between the distant enemies has threatened to open a new front as Israel battles a series of Iranian proxies across the region.

The Israeli army late Saturday confirmed the airstrikes in the western Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, a Houthi stronghold and crucial entry point for aid and other supplies. It said the strikes, carried out by dozens of aircraft, including U.S.-made F-15 and F-35 warplanes, were a response to hundreds of Houthi attacks.

The Health Ministry in Yemen said the Israeli strikes killed six people and wounded 83 others, many with severe burns from a major fire. Another three people were missing, the ministry said in a statement shared by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam posted on X that the “blatant Israeli aggression” targeted fuel storage facilities and the province’s power station.

”The Israeli enemy picked those targets specifically as part of their targeting of the Yemeni economy,” said Abdul-Malek al-Houthi, leader of the rebels.

The Israeli military said that the surface-to-surface missile fired Sunday was intercepted before reaching Israeli territory.

Israel, along with the U.S., the U.K. and other Western allies with forces in the region, have intercepted almost all of the Houthi missiles and drones. But early Friday, a Houthi drone penetrated Israel’s air defenses and crashed into Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial and cultural capital, killing one person.

An Israeli air force official said Sunday that human error accidentally classified the drone as a non-threat as Israel was simultaneously tracking other drones launched from Yemen and approaching Israel from the east.

The Israeli military said Saturday's strike on Hodeidah, about 1,700 kilometers (more than 1,000 miles) from Israel, was among the most complicated and longest-distance operations by its air force. It said it hit the port because the area is used to deliver Iranian arms to Yemen.

Israel’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, vowed to carry out similar strikes “in any place where it may be required.”

The Houthis are among several Iranian-backed groups to have attacked Israel in solidarity with Hamas since the Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian militant group triggered the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza.

In addition to fighting Hamas, the Israeli military has been engaged in daily clashes with the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon. These clashes have raised concerns that the fighting could spill over into a full-blown war with Lebanon and beyond.

Yemen has been engulfed in civil war since 2014, when the Houthis seized much of the north and forced the internationally recognized government to flee from Sanaa. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in support of government forces, and in time the conflict turned into a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

The war has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters.

The Houthis said Israel's attacks will only make Yemen’s people and armed forces more determined to support Gaza. “There will be impactful strikes,” Mohamed Ali al-Houthi of the Supreme Political Council in Yemen wrote on X.

“All of this won’t stop the Yemeni people or the Yemeni leadership, military and missile forces in targeting the Israeli entities,” said Moatasem Abdel Salah, a Sanaa resident.

Since January, U.S. and U.K. forces have been striking targets in Yemen, in response to the Houthis’ attacks on commercial shipping that the rebels have described as retaliation for Israel’s actions in the war in Gaza. However, many of the ships targeted weren’t linked to Israel.

On Sunday, officials said that the Houthis repeatedly targeted a Liberia-flagged container vessel transiting the Red Sea, the latest assault by the group on the crucial maritime trade route.

The captain of the ship reported attacks from three small Houthi vessels, an uncrewed Houthi aerial vehicle and missile fire off the coast of Mocha, Yemen, resulting in “minor damage” to the ship, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said. The Joint Maritime Information Center, a coalition overseen by the U.S. Navy, identified the ship as the Pumba and reported “all crew on board safe.”

Early Sunday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack on the Pumba.

Analysts and Western intelligence services have long accused Iran of arming the Houthis, a claim Tehran denies. The joint force airstrikes so far have done little to deter them.

The Houthis have long-range ballistic missiles, smaller cruise missiles and “suicide drones,” all capable of reaching southern Israel, according to weapons experts. The Houthis are open about their arsenal, regularly parading new missiles through the streets of Sanaa.

Michael Wakin reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Melanie Lidman contributed to this report from Jerusalem.

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of burning oil tanks in Hodeidah, Yemen, July 21, 2024. (Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies via AP)

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of oil tanks before a strike in Hodeidah, Yemen, July 2, 2024. (Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies via AP)

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows a close view of burning oil tanks in Hodeidah, Yemen, July 21, 2024. (Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies via AP)

An injured Yemeni worker receives medical treatment at Al Thawrah hospital in Hodeidah, in western Yemen, following attacks, Saturday, July 20, 2024. The Israeli army said it has struck several Houthi targets in western Yemen following a fatal drone attack by the rebel group in Tel Aviv the previous day. (AP Photo)

An injured Yemeni worker receives medical treatment at Al Thawrah hospital in Hodeidah, in western Yemen, following attacks, Saturday, July 20, 2024. The Israeli army said it has struck several Houthi targets in western Yemen following a fatal drone attack by the rebel group in Tel Aviv the previous day. (AP Photo)

Yemenis drive past a giant billboard supporting Palestinians, in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, July 21, 2024. Arabic slogan reads, "it's Palaestine's turn". (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)

Family and friends of Yevgeny Ferde gather around his grave during his funeral at a cemetery in Rishon Lezion, Israel, on Sunday, July 21, 2024. Ferde, 50, was killed in central Tel Aviv by an explosive drone launched by the Houthi militant group in Yemen on Friday, July 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Family and friends of Yevgeny Ferde attend his funeral at a cemetery in Rishon Lezion, Israel, on Sunday, July 21, 2024. Yevgeny Ferde was killed in central Tel Aviv by an explosive drone launched by the Yemeni Houthi militant group. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Family and friends of Yevgeny Ferde attend his funeral at a cemetery in Rishon Lezion, Israel, on Sunday, July 21, 2024. Yevgeny Ferde was killed in central Tel Aviv by an explosive drone launched by the Yemeni Houthi militant group. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Family and friends of Yevgeny Ferde gather around his grave during his funeral at a cemetery in Rishon Lezion, Israel, on Sunday, July 21, 2024. Yevgeny Ferde was killed in central Tel Aviv by an explosive drone launched by the Yemeni Houthi militant group. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

In this image from video, smoke and flames rise from a site in Hodeidah, Yemen, on Saturday, July 20, 2024. The Israeli army says it struck several Houthi targets in western Yemen following a fatal drone attack by the rebel group in Tel Aviv the previous day. (AP Photo)

Oil tanks burn at the port in Hodeidah, Yemen, Saturday, July 20, 2024. The Israeli army said it has struck several Houthi targets in western Yemen following a fatal drone attack by the rebel group in Tel Aviv the previous day. (AP Photo)

In this image from video, smoke and flames rise from a site in Hodeidah, Yemen, on Saturday, July 20, 2024. The Israeli army says it struck several Houthi targets in western Yemen following a fatal drone attack by the rebel group in Tel Aviv the previous day. (AP Photo)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Let LeBron James have the final say on Saquon Barkley’s three-touchdown debut for the Philadelphia Eagles.

“OMG SAQUON SO DAMN QUICK /FAST!!!!!!! SO GOOD MAN!” the Los Angeles Lakers star wrote on social media.

So quick, so fast, indeed.

The New York Giants couldn't sign him. The Green Bay Packers couldn’t catch him.

Barkley proved Friday that he can become the game-breaking running back the Eagles have long needed as they chase a Super Bowl. Barkley rushed for 109 yards and scored on an 18-yard catch and runs of 11 and 2 yards. He led the Eagles to a 34-29 victory over the Packers in the NFL's Brazil debut.

With a three-year deal for $26 million guaranteed, Barkley is the highest-paid running back in franchise history.

He just might become the most valuable one.

Yes, it’s only one game, but it’s easy for the Eagles to get excited about what they have in their 27-year-old running back. For all the talent Barkley possessed with the Giants, for all the big numbers put up for the fellow NFC East team, Barkley never played on a team that rivaled the talent that surrounds him with the Eagles. From Jalen Hurts to A.J. Brown, to a traditionally strong offensive line — one that played through some growing pains without retired six-time All-Pro center Jason Kelce — Barkley is just one of the key cogs that makes the offense go.

“The O-line played great. That’s a big reason why I wanted to come to Philly,” Barkley said.

His three touchdowns were the most by an Eagles player in his debut since Terrell Owens in 2004.

“There's going to be games where there's opportunities for me to take over,” Barkley said.

Barkley just needs to stay healthy, easier said than done for a running back who dealt with injuries for most of his tenure with the Giants.

The Eagles have had three players lead the team in rushing each of the last three years and declined to sign 2023 leader D’Andre Swift. They expect to use Barkley as a three-down workhorse they haven’t seen since LeSean McCoy’s heyday ended a decade ago. He played in 14 games last season, missing three because of a high ankle sprain.

He was the go-to player in New York. He's just part of a talented offense in Philly — a big part, yes. But even Barkley acknowledges that having Pro Bowl players around him could make it easier to have success — possibly a career year — with the Eagles.

“I'm probably on the scouting report not even top three you have to worry about,” he said.

Also, here’s a hard knock against the Giants — just what were they thinking in letting Barkley go?

“I’ll have a tough time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philadelphia, I’ll tell you that,” Giants owner John Mara said on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” that chronicled Barkley’s free agency.

If true, Mara had to be feeling a bit drowsy on Saturday.

Kellen Moore’s offense. The first-year coordinator let it rip in the opener in his first game since taking over for the fired Brian Johnson. Barkley topped 100 yards rushing and Brown had 119 yards receiving and a touchdown. DeVonta Smith had seven catches for 84 yards.

Ball security. The Eagles lost the turnover battle 3-1. Hurts threw two interceptions — he tied for the NFL lead last season with 15 — and fumbled a tush-push snap late only for Barkley to jump on the ball and save the possession that ended up in a field goal for a 34-29 lead.

Linebacker Zack Baun sealed the win with a sack on the last play of the game, the highlight in his first game with the Eagles. He had a career-high 15 tackles and could solidify the middle of the defense.

The defense was all over the place statistically in an uneven performance against the Packers. It held the Packers to just three field goals when they drove inside the 20. Reed Blankenship set up Barkley’s third touchdown with an interception that gave Philadelphia the ball at the Green Bay 25. The Eagles did allow 414 total yards, 163 rushing yards and 7.1 yard per play. That’s not quite sustainable for any team trying to make a run to the Super Bowl. It’s a work in progress under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, but promising plays were there.

The Eagles were lucky to escape unscathed playing on a sloppy turf in the Southern Hemisphere.

“Definitely challenging on that field. It’s not the type of field we’re used to playing on,” Hurts said.

With NBA training camp still weeks away, James clearly had an interest in the game, and he, like everyone else, could tell the field was in shoddy shape.

“Man this field sucks!!! GB vs PHI,” he wrote on social media.

26-9 — Coach Nick Sirianni is 4-0 in openers in his career, a key reason why the Eagles are tied with the Chiefs for the best record (26-9, .743) in the NFL since 2022.

The Eagles get a nice break before their home opener on Monday night, Sept. 16 against Atlanta.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at the Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL football game, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at the Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at the Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at the Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) leaves to field after their win against the Green Bay Packers in an NFL football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at the Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)