Yemen’s Houthis have launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks on the Red Sea port city of al-Makha (Mocha), extending an assault on government-held areas along Yemen’s western coast. These strikes have resulted in a significant loss of life and property, further destabilizing the region.
Earlier on Sunday, attacks on al-Makha killed at least 11 people, including eight military personnel and three civilians, and wounded 32 others, according to the latest toll cited by the AFP news agency. The latest attacks occurred on Sunday evening, less than 24 hours after an earlier barrage struck al-Makha and its commercial port.
Yemeni government forces reported that their air defences successfully intercepted six drones during the renewed assault, while two ballistic missiles fell into the sea without hitting their targets. Additionally, government forces confirmed they intercepted and destroyed an unmanned explosive boat as it attempted to approach the commercial port facilities.
Footage broadcast by the Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV showed several ballistic missiles and drones being launched. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that the operation specifically targeted Saudi troop concentrations and weapon depots in the area, according to the Reuters news agency. The Houthis claimed the operation involved a large number of ballistic missiles and drones, launched in response to an alleged continued Saudi military buildup, including the reinforcement of allied forces with weapons and equipment along Yemen’s western coast and in Taiz province.
The strikes caused extensive damage at al-Makha’s port. Government authorities reported that various buildings and commercial facilities were hit, while The Associated Press reported significant damage to port infrastructure, commercial goods, and vital food supplies. Houthi political council member Hizam al-Assad separately claimed that the continuing explosions, fires, and columns of smoke observed at the port were caused by the large quantities of weapons and military equipment stored there.
The escalation extended beyond al-Makha, also targeting the al-Khokha district, south of the coastal city of Hodeidah. During the renewed attacks, the National Resistance Forces, which are aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognised government, urged residents of al-Makha to remain indoors, accusing the Houthis of carrying out indiscriminate shelling. Furthermore, Al-Jumhuriya television, which is affiliated with the National Resistance Forces led by Presidential Leadership Council member Tareq Saleh, reported that the government-appointed governor of Hodeidah, al-Hassan Taher, survived an assassination attempt on Sunday after a Houthi ballistic missile struck his residence in the district.
Source: Aljazeera
