Fire in Hodeidah after attack on vessel in Red Sea: Saudi Arabia launches retaliatory strikes
Saudi Arabia reported an attack on a vessel flying the kingdom's flag in the Red Sea. Shortly after, Riyadh launched strikes on the port city of Hodeidah, with reports of explosions in weapons depots. The Houthis threatened a harsh response, stating: 'Any escalation will be met with a harsher escalation.'
The Houthis apparently attacked and were subsequently targeted: Saudi television reported this evening (Friday) that a Saudi vessel was attacked in the Red Sea and sustained minor damage, though it was able to continue to its destination. While the Houthis in Yemen did not claim responsibility, they are the immediate suspects, especially following their announcement earlier this week of a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia.
Not long after the hit on the Saudi vessel, the response came: media outlets in Yemen identified with the Houthis reported that Saudi Arabia conducted strikes in the city of Hodeidah, on the Red Sea coast. The Saudi channel 'Al-Arabiya' reported that explosions occurred in weapons depots in the city. In addition, there were reports of attacks on Kamaran Island, opposite the coast of Hodeidah. A source in Yemen confirmed in a conversation with ynet that the Houthis are behind the attack on the Saudi vessel, adding: 'Maritime navigation systems were attacked in the port of Hodeidah, and according to reports, also weapons and fuel depots - and many other locations throughout the city.'
The Houthis threatened a harsh response, and one of their senior officials, Hazam al-Assad, wrote: 'Port for port, airport for airport. Any escalation will be met with a harsher escalation.'
Last Monday, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that 'the Houthi forces are declaring a naval embargo against the Saudi enemy, based on the equation of 'an eye for an eye.' We affirm our people's right to respond to the blockade with a blockade, and to respond to any escalation with any escalation.'
The escalation between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia began about a week and a half ago following a Saudi strike on the international airport in Sana'a, which the Houthis claimed was intended to prevent an Iranian plane from landing there—part of the same 'blockade' they claim Riyadh is trying to impose to isolate them. Hours after the Saudi attack, the Houthis launched missiles at airports in Saudi Arabia as revenge.
Saudi Arabia previously conducted an extensive bombing campaign against the Houthis, allies of Iran, after the rebels took over the capital, Sana'a, at the end of 2014 and ousted the internationally recognized government. Saudi Arabia viewed this as a direct threat to its security and regional influence. In 2015, the kingdom established a military coalition of Arab countries and launched a broad operation that included thousands of airstrikes, a naval and air blockade, and support for Yemeni government forces, with the goal of stopping the Houthi advance and returning the government to power.
Although the coalition prevented the Houthis from taking over all of Yemen, it did not succeed in defeating them. The Houthis continued to control the north of the country and over the years launched missiles and UAVs at cities, airports, and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, the war led to one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world, and the Saudi coalition faced sharp international criticism for harming civilians and infrastructure.
Starting in 2022, Saudi Arabia changed its approach and began promoting direct contacts with the Houthis. Until the current escalation, relative calm was maintained on the border for most of the period, and Saudi Arabia focused on attempts to promote a political settlement and support the Yemeni government through economic aid, although a comprehensive peace agreement was not reached.
