The Houthis have launched a sustained assault on the Red Sea port city of Al-Makha (Mocha), resulting in at least four civilian casualties, Yemen’s internationally recognized government announced today. The attack, which began on Friday, involves six ballistic missiles fired at the port, escalating already tense relations between the Iran-aligned Houthis and Saudi-backed opposition forces. The Yemeni government confirmed that the Houthis targeted civilian infrastructure and national assets, with initial reports indicating the deaths of at least four civilians and the destruction of several fishing boats. According to the government, the Houthis employed a large-scale bombardment strategy, utilizing ballistic missiles and drones to target what they described as ‘build-ups,’ weapons, and warships in Al-Makha. An unnamed military official stated that the strike resulted in eight fatalities, including two security personnel. The escalation comes amidst heightened regional tensions, particularly following the US-Israel war, where the Houthis have emerged as a significant strategic element, raising concerns about a potential return to large-scale conflict in Yemen. The Houthis have claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging they targeted Aramco facilities in Najran, a Saudi city, with drone attacks. Saudi authorities and Aramco have yet to confirm or deny the incident. Separately, the Houthi-run SABA news agency reported that the group had targeted an Aramco refinery in Saudi Arabia with a drone. The source stated that the attack was a response to Saudi military aircraft entering airspace over the northeastern part of Yemen’s Saada governorate. The report did not identify the precise target or confirm whether it had been hit. The Houthis’ actions follow a rise in hostilities between the Houthis and Yemen’s internationally recognized government, with a previous attack on an Aramco refinery in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan occurring on Thursday. The Houthis stated they had attacked an Aramco refinery in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan with two drones. Yemen’s violence is also linked to the stalled US-Iran diplomacy, with Iran demanding over the weekend an end to the blockade, lifting sanctions, and troop withdrawal, while the US countered with demanding Iran pay reparations. US President Donald Trump has demanded that Iran compensate instead, further complicating the diplomatic situation. The situation in Yemen remains volatile, with the ongoing conflict impacting the country’s humanitarian situation. The United Nations has expressed concern about the escalating violence and its potential consequences for civilians.
Source: Al Jazeera
