On Friday evening, media outlets affiliated with the Ansar Allah movement (Houthis) reported that “U.S. and British aggression aircraft” launched two airstrikes on Ras Issa in Al-Hudaydah, located in western Yemen.
At the same time, the group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, announced that they successfully targeted a ship in the Arabian Sea using drones, stating that the operation achieved its objectives.
While details of the airstrikes remain limited, as reported by Al-Masirah TV, there has been no immediate comment from either the U.S. or U.K. governments regarding these strikes.
According to Anadolu Agency, Al-Hudaydah, which borders the Red Sea, has been one of the most frequently bombed provinces by U.S. and U.K. forces since the two nations began their air campaign on Yemen earlier this year.
Al-Hudaydah holds strategic importance for Yemen, as it is home to an international airport, three key ports, an extensive coastline, and numerous islands.
U.S. Statement on Drone Destruction
Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that it had destroyed 20 drones and land-based cruise missiles in the past week within its operational area. These drones and missiles were reportedly launched by the Houthis and other Iran-aligned groups, posing a threat to U.S. forces in the region.
Houthi Statement on Ship Attack
Regarding the targeted ship, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree explained that the strike in the Arabian Sea involved several drones and was executed because the ship’s owning company violated the “ban on entry to ports in occupied Palestine,” referencing Israel.
Saree identified the ship as Megalopolis, a Malta-flagged vessel, measuring approximately 255 meters in length and 37 meters in width.
The Houthis warned that their forces would continue to target Israeli interests with missiles and drones, stating that these operations would not cease until the aggression ends, the blockade on Gaza is lifted, and the attacks on Lebanon stop.
According to Reuters, the Houthis have carried out nearly 100 attacks on ships in the Red Sea since November. These assaults have resulted in the sinking of two ships, the capture of one, and the deaths of at least four sailors.
