Israeli Navy Targets Houthi-Controlled Hudaydah Port in Yemen

The Israeli navy launched strikes on the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah, alleging Houthi military use of the facility following a series of missile attacks against Israel.

Israeli navy ships have struck targets in the port city of Hudaydah in Houthi-controlled Yemen. The Israeli military stated that the strikes were conducted in response to recent Houthi missiles targeting Israel and were intended to prevent the port's use for "military purposes." While there were no immediate reports of casualties, social media images captured significant smoke rising from the port. Houthi-operated al-Masirah TV reported that two separate strikes had occurred.

The Houthis have regularly targeted Israel with missiles in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Recently, the Israeli military intercepted a Houthi missile above Jerusalem, and another missile struck the vicinity of Israel's main airport last month. The naval strikes on Hudaydah, conducted early Tuesday morning, were unusual for being launched from ships rather than aircraft. Prior to the attack, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued evacuation warnings for all individuals near Hudaydah port and other Houthi-controlled ports, emphasizing the dangers posed by the group's military activities.

Avichay Adraee, the IDF Arabic spokesperson, urged people to evacuate the ports for their safety. Despite the strikes, Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthis' media office, claimed on social media that the attack would not significantly impact the group's operations or morale. He stated that supporters of Gaza continue to demonstrate weekly in response to ongoing conflicts.

Hudaydah port serves as a vital entry point for humanitarian aid to millions of Yemenis, and it has faced multiple Israeli strikes over the past year. An Israeli strike last month resulted in one reported death, with Israeli officials stating that it would render the port non-operational for approximately a month.

The Iran-aligned Houthi group has been in control of much of north-western Yemen since 2014, following their ousting of the internationally-recognized government, leading to a prolonged civil conflict. The Houthis escalated attacks on vessels in the Red Sea in response to Israel's actions in Gaza, which followed Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023. With dozens of missile and drone attacks directed at commercial shipping since November, the Houthis have sunk two ships, seized another, and caused the deaths of four crew members.

These actions prompted major shipping companies to bypass the Red Sea, normally a conduit for nearly 15% of global maritime trade, opting instead for longer routes around southern Africa. In response to the escalating conflict, former US President Joe Biden initiated airstrikes against the Houthis, a campaign that intensified under former President Donald Trump before a ceasefire was established in early May.