RIYADH: The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said it carried out strikes against Houthi military sites in Yemen’s Hodeidah governorate on Saturday, accusing the group of threatening commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
The strikes came after the Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi vessels and warned of further action against the kingdom. The group also said it launched a missile attack targeting Saudi Arabia’s Jizan region.
Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki said the strikes targeted facilities used by the Houthis to conduct operations against commercial ships.
The coalition described the operation as a response to attacks on maritime traffic and said it would continue taking measures to protect shipping routes and Saudi interests.
Why Did Saudi Arabia Target Houthi Sites in Yemen?
The Saudi-led coalition said the strikes were carried out after the Houthis targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea, including two Saudi-linked ships.
Saudi authorities confirmed that one Saudi-owned vessel, the NCC MASA, was attacked while sailing in the Red Sea, causing minor damage to its hull. The vessel later resumed its journey, according to Saudi state media.
The coalition said its strikes focused on military infrastructure used by the Houthis to threaten maritime security.
Al-Maliki said Yemen’s main ports, including Hodeidah, Ras Issa and Salif, remained open for commercial shipping and were not targeted during the operation.
The Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of escalating the conflict, saying the strikes targeted civilian facilities and warning that the attacks would receive a response.
How Are Houthi Attacks Affecting Red Sea Security?
The latest escalation has increased concerns over the security of one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.
The Houthis have previously targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea, claiming their actions are linked to wider regional conflicts. The group announced a blockade targeting Saudi-linked shipping earlier this week.
A Yemeni security source said Saudi strikes hit a naval facility in Hodeidah and a military site on Kamaran Island. Houthi-affiliated media reported strikes on telecommunications facilities and said two people were wounded.
The Red Sea has become increasingly important for Saudi Arabia as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have affected regional maritime routes.
Saudi oil exports have increasingly relied on Red Sea ports, including Yanbu, amid instability affecting Gulf shipping lanes.
What Does the Escalation Mean for the Yemen Conflict?
The renewed fighting represents the most serious escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis since a 2022 truce reduced major hostilities in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia entered the Yemen war in 2015 after the Houthi movement seized the capital, Sanaa, and pushed out the internationally recognized government.
The conflict caused widespread humanitarian suffering, with hundreds of thousands of people killed through fighting, hunger and disease.
Although the 2022 truce reduced violence, tensions have continued, with recent Houthi attacks against Saudi targets threatening to reopen a broader conflict.
The Houthi foreign ministry said the Saudi strikes marked the beginning of a new phase of “escalation for escalation” and held Riyadh responsible for future developments.
US-Iran Conflict Adds Pressure Across the Region
The latest Saudi-Houthi confrontation comes amid wider regional tensions following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and continuing military exchanges in the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump has warned of further military action against Iran and the Houthis while keeping open the possibility of diplomatic negotiations.
Trump said Washington was engaged in talks with Tehran but warned that military options remained available if no agreement was reached.
The growing tensions have placed additional pressure on regional shipping routes, including the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns over global energy supplies and maritime security.