Houthi Shipping Threats Met With Reported Strikes on Hodeidah as Weapons Depots Explode

SANAA, July 24: Yemen’s Houthi group on Friday accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out airstrikes on the western province of Hodeidah, as tensions rise over threats to shipping routes in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah television reported that Saudi strikes targeted Kamaran Island and facilities belonging to the Telecommunications Corporation in Hodeidah province. The channel did not report any casualties or damage from the alleged attacks.

Earlier, Al-Masirah said only that airstrikes had hit areas in Hodeidah province, while the Houthi-linked September 26 news website, citing unidentified local sources, also reported multiple strikes and blamed Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Al Arabiya reported explosions at weapons depots in the city, and Reuters cited witnesses as saying several strikes hit the Red Sea port. The reports could not be independently verified, and Saudi authorities had not issued any immediate comment on the alleged attacks.

The reported strikes come amid escalating tensions between Riyadh and the Houthis after the group threatened to restrict Saudi-linked shipping in the strategic Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key global trade route.

On July 20, the Arab coalition’s Joint Forces Command said it would take measures to protect commercial vessels and respond to threats in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, accusing the Houthis of increasing tensions against Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

The latest developments raise concerns over renewed instability in Yemen and potential risks to international maritime traffic through one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.