Houthis Accuse Saudis of Airstrikes in Western Yemen Amid Shipping Tensions
The Houthi group in Yemen has accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out airstrikes on the western province of Hodeidah, amid rising tensions over Red Sea shipping. The group's Al-Masirah television channel reported that facilities belonging to the Telecommunications Corporation in Hodeidah city were targeted.
The strikes also hit Kamaran Island off the Hodeidah coast, but no information was provided on casualties or damage. Activists circulated images of fires caused by explosions at weapons depots in Hodeidah, although Anadolu could not independently verify the images or the reported attacks.
The tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have escalated after the group threatened to ban Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Earlier this week, the Houthis claimed to have targeted two Saudi oil tankers with ballistic missiles and drones, causing fires aboard both vessels.
US President Donald Trump warned the Houthis and Iran of 'severe military punishment' if attacks on commercial shipping were repeated, holding Tehran responsible for any future attacks carried out by the group. Riyadh has rejected allegations of a blockade and said it would take measures to protect its vessels under international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.