Saudi-Led Coalition Strikes Houthi Military Sites Following Red Sea Attacks

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In response to the Houthi attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, the Saudi-led Arab Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen conducted strikes on the Iranian-backed militia’s legitimate military targets in Hodeida Governorate early Saturday.

While stressing its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its national interests and assets, Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its unwavering support for Yemen’s people and legitimate government.

Table of Contents

Firm Response

The Big Picture: The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition carried out a firm, resolute, and proportionate military response to Houthi attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, in accordance with Customary International Humanitarian Law. According to the Coalition’s Spokesperson, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, the response concluded after achieving its operational objectives. The strikes focused solely on legitimate military targets that the Houthis use to threaten commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

Between the Lines: Al-Maliki noted that Hodeida Port was not targeted, adding that all Yemeni ports, including Hodeida, Ras Isa, and Salif, are operational and receiving commercial ships. Furthermore, he said that no airports were targeted, adding that the Houthis continue to block flight operations at Sanaa International Airport.

Houthi Threats to Shipping

State of Play: The Iranian-backed Houthis announced on Monday they were imposing a “maritime embargo” on the Kingdom, claiming they would prevent its vessels from transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait – the southern gateway to the Red Sea.

On Friday, the Saudi vessel NCC MASA was targeted while sailing in the Red Sea, sustaining minor damage to its hull, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, citing an official source at the Transport General Authority (TGA). The incident followed an earlier one late Wednesday, when the Saudi-owned ship Encelia was attacked in the Red Sea, sparking a fire onboard the vessel.

What He Said: “The terrorist Houthi militia has undertaken a reckless and cowardly act by targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea. This terrorist act adds to a long list of maritime crimes and acts of terror in one of the most important international sea lines of communication,” – Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki.

What to Watch: Al-Maliki warned that the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will continue to undertake all necessary operational procedures and measures to protect the interests of the Kingdom and its national assets, in addition to protecting its vessels. “Should the terrorist Houthi militia continue in this course of hostilities, an unrelenting, resolute response will be mounted accordingly,” he warned.

Unwavering Support for Yemen

The Anchor: Saudi Arabia reiterated its firm support for Yemen and its people, renewing its commitment to stand alongside the Yemeni people and government in the face of the terrorist Houthi militia.

The Context: The Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, Mohamed Al-Jabir, emphasized the Kingdom’s support for de-escalation and peace efforts in Yemen, including the UN Envoy to Yemen’s efforts to reach a comprehensive political solution that ends the suffering of the Yemeni people. However, the Houthi militia insists on pursuing a path of escalation and violence to serve foreign agendas, promoting false claims to evade responsibility for the humanitarian crisis it has caused, he noted.

The Bottom Line: Al-Jabir said that Saudi Arabia will continue to support all initiatives aimed at reopening Sanaa International Airport to commercial flights. He added that the Kingdom will continue to support the entry of vessels to Hodeida Port to meet the needs of the Yemeni people, despite Houthi cowardly attacks against civilian commercial ships in the Red Sea, which threaten the freedom of international navigation and the region’s security.

By the Numbers:

Saudi Arabia has been a steadfast supporter of Yemen’s stability, economic recovery, and development, investing heavily in infrastructure and local resilience to protect the most vulnerable populations from global economic shocks and transforming temporary aid into permanent stability. This assistance is channeled through the Saudi Program for Development and Reconstruction of Yemen (SDRPY) and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief).

SDRPY: