American and British fighter jets have renewed targeting Houthi positions in the coastal province of Hodeidah, western Yemen, which has been turned into a base for attacks on international maritime navigation in the Red Sea.
Houthi media outlets reported that on the night between Wednesday and Thursday, U.S. and British aircraft launched three airstrikes on Hodeidah International Airport, although no further details about these strikes were provided.
Following the outbreak of the war in Gaza last October, the Houthi group escalated its attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. This prompted the United States to form a coalition to protect international navigation, which has conducted several airstrikes in Houthi-controlled areas to diminish their military capabilities.
Additionally, the Yemeni army reported the killing and wounding of several Houthi members on Wednesday during clashes in Taiz province, southwest of the country. The media center for the Taiz military axis stated that “two Houthi elements were killed (one of them a leader), and two others were injured during a special operation carried out by the army against Houthi positions on the Sarmin front east of Taiz city.”
The United States and the United Kingdom have increased their military operations in Yemen, particularly targeting Houthi positions in response to the Houthis’ threats to international shipping in the Red Sea. These operations, which involve air strikes, have been focused on degrading the Houthi’s military capabilities and preventing further attacks on commercial shipping routes.
The most recent coordinated operations by the US and UK were aimed at Houthi-controlled facilities that were identified as being involved in anti-shipping activities. These facilities included drone ground control centers and storage sites for military drones and surface-to-air weapons, which pose a significant threat to maritime security in the region. The operations have emphasized minimizing civilian casualties and avoiding damage to non-military infrastructure.
The context for these strikes is the broader conflict in Yemen, which has seen a complicated interplay of local and international forces, with the Houthis often targeting Saudi and now international maritime interests. The US and UK, along with other allies, have been involved in various capacities, attempting to restore stability and ensure safe maritime routes
