Red Sea attacks trigger Saudi coalition strikes on Houthi military sites
The Saudi-led coalition has launched targeted strikes against Houthi military sites after the group attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
Major General Turki Al-Malki, spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, said the Houthi attack was reckless and threatened a vital international shipping route.
He described the attacks as part of a wider pattern of maritime crimes in the Red Sea, a major corridor used by ships carrying goods and fuel around the world.
Al-Malki said Saudi Arabia remains committed to supporting the people and government of Yemen against the Houthis.
He also clarified an important point about Yemen’s ports. Hodeidah Port was not hit by the coalition strikes.
According to Al-Malki, Hodeidah, Ras Isa and Salif ports remain open and operational. Commercial ships can continue bringing food, goods, fuel and construction materials into Yemen.
Air traffic to and from Yemeni airports is also continuing normally, Al-Malki said.
However, he accused the Houthis of continuing to block flights to Sana’a International Airport. He described the situation as "a siege against the Yemeni people."
The coalition said its military response was carefully planned and limited to Houthi military locations used to threaten commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
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Al-Malki said the strikes were carried out in line with international humanitarian law and were not aimed at Yemen’s civilian ports or commercial activities.
The coalition’s Joint Forces Command will continue taking what it considers necessary operational steps to protect Saudi Arabia’s interests and vessels, he said.
The warning from the coalition was also clear. If Houthi attacks on shipping continue, the military response could become stronger.
The situation is being closely watched because any major disruption in the Red Sea could affect international trade and the movement of essential goods.
