Saudi-Led Coalition Strikes Houthi Military Targets in Yemen’s Hodeidah
The Saudi-led Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen said it carried out airstrikes against Houthi military positions in the coastal governorate of Hodeidah late Friday, amid escalating threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
According to the Coalition Joint Forces Command, the operation destroyed sites allegedly connected to Houthi attacks against merchant vessels. It said the strikes were part of efforts to protect ships travelling through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Coalition Denies Targeting Hodeidah Port
The Coalition rejected claims that its operation had targeted the Port of Hodeidah. It said the strikes were directed at military facilities rather than civilian or commercial port infrastructure.
The statement added that Hodeidah and other ports in the governorate remained open to maritime traffic following the operation.
Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah television reported strikes in Hodeidah and on Kamaran Island. It claimed that a telecommunications facility was among the locations hit. The different accounts of the targets and resulting damage have not been independently verified.
Strikes Follow Attack on Saudi Vessel
The operation occurred shortly after the Saudi-operated vessel NCC MASA was attacked while sailing in the Red Sea on Friday.
Saudi Arabia’s General Transport Authority said the incident caused minor damage to the vessel’s hull. Inspections confirmed that the crew and ship were safe, allowing the vessel to continue towards its destination.
The incident followed an earlier attack involving the Saudi-operated ship ENCELIA, which reportedly suffered a fire near its bow. The Houthis claimed attacks against Saudi-linked vessels after announcing what they described as a maritime blockade targeting the Kingdom.
The Saudi-led Coalition has rejected the Houthi blockade declaration and promised to respond to threats against commercial vessels travelling through Bab al-Mandeb.
Red Sea Security Risks Increase
Hodeidah occupies an important position along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. The nearby Bab al-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as a vital route for trade between Europe and Asia.
Repeated attacks or military operations near the waterway could disrupt global supply chains, increase marine insurance costs and force vessels to use longer routes around Africa.
The latest strikes have also raised concerns about a broader return to fighting in Yemen. A period of relative calm had followed the 2022 truce between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, although a permanent political settlement was never reached.
Houthi officials have reportedly promised a response to the Coalition’s operation. Further military action could deepen the threat to regional security and commercial navigation.
This report is based on statements from the Coalition, Saudi authorities and Houthi-affiliated media. Claims concerning the targets, damage and responsibility for the maritime attacks have not all been independently verified. The developments were reported by Reuters and the Coalition’s earlier maritime-security position is available through the Saudi Press Agency.
