The Saudi-led Arab Coalition launched airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen's Hudaydah governorate. Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki said the operations did not include Hudaydah port and that all ports in the country remain open to civilian trade.
Coalition accuses Houthis of terrorism
In a statement on social media, Coalition spokesman al-Maliki described the Houthis' targeting of commercial vessels in the Red Sea as "a new terrorist crime committed in international waters." Al-Maliki said, "Saudi Arabia will continue to stand with the Yemeni people against the terrorist militias." He stated that the strikes in Hudaydah hit Houthi military positions that posed a threat in the Red Sea and emphasized that the ports are open to ships carrying food, fuel and construction materials.
Houthis threaten Saudi Arabia
The Houthi Political Bureau, in a statement, held Saudi Arabia responsible for the airstrikes in Hudaydah. It claimed that Saudi Arabia targeted civilian facilities in the city of Hudaydah and on Kamaran Island. The statement said, "These attacks targeting civilian installations, including Hudaydah Port, constitute a dangerous escalation," and threatened that "the blockade will be met with a blockade, ports with ports, and escalation with escalation."
Yemeni government backs the Coalition
The Yemeni government announced its support for the Arab Coalition's operations against the Houthis. In a statement, the government said the Houthis were undermining regional and international efforts by targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea and were "dragging the country into conflicts that have nothing to do with the interests of the Yemeni people." It argued that the Houthis are gambling with the interests of the Yemeni people and national resources to improve Iran's negotiating position.
Tensions escalate in the Red Sea
On July 20, the Houthis initiated a "maritime navigation ban" against Saudi Arabia. Over the past two days, two vessels belonging to Saudi companies were attacked in the Red Sea. The ship NCC MASA sustained minor damage, while a fire broke out aboard the Encelia but no injuries were reported.
Saudi Arabia rejected the Houthi blockade accusations, stating that the ports of Hudaydah, Salif and Ras Isa received more than 300 ships in the first half of 2026. Riyadh also announced it would take necessary measures under international law to protect its vessels.
Claims by Houthi-affiliated media
The Houthi-linked "Al-Masirah" television channel reported that facilities belonging to the communications authority in Hudaydah city were targeted in the airstrikes. According to the channel, Kamaran Island was also hit. The "26 September" website, the mouthpiece of the Houthi-run Defense Ministry, cited local sources as saying that Hudaydah was subjected to multiple airstrikes.
Social media users shared footage purportedly showing fires following explosions at arms depots in Hudaydah. Local sources reported intense bombardment in Hudaydah city, the presence of drones and that the explosions caused panic among the population.
