Saudi Arabia Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen After Maritime Blockade
On Friday, Saudi Arabia conducted airstrikes against Houthi military installations in Hodeida, Yemen, resulting in reports of two injuries from rebel media. The Iran-supported Houthis had imposed a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia and launched assaults on its vessels, posing a risk to the nation’s oil exports. The Saudi-led coalition announced the destruction of threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea. A Yemeni security official pinpointed a naval base in Hodeida and a military facility on Kamaran island as key targets. This escalation follows a Houthi strike on a Saudi ship and aligns with Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Riyadh's other maritime passage. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki noted that the Houthis had targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea, marking the first exchange of fire in years and endangering a 2022 truce that had persisted despite its expiration.
Key facts
- Saudi Arabia struck Houthi military targets in Hodeida, Yemen, on Friday.
- Two people were injured, according to rebel media.
- The Houthis declared a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia and attacked its ships.
- The Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed targets threatening commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
- Targets included a naval base in Hodeida and a military camp on Kamaran island.
- The attack on a Saudi ship prompted the strikes.
- The Houthi blockade threatens Saudi oil exports, alongside Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki confirmed the Houthis targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea.
Entities
Institutions
- Saudi-led coalition
- Houthi
Locations
- Saudi Arabia
- Yemen
- Hodeida
- Kamaran island
- Red Sea
- Strait of Hormuz