Local sources reported on Saturday evening, July 20, 2024, that US airstrikes targeted Houthi-controlled sites in the Yemeni province of Hodeida. The Houthis are designated as a terrorist group by several countries.

Sources told "Barran Press" that the US airstrikes, carried out in the afternoon, targeted a ballistic missile launch pad and a missile depot in the city of Hodeida, the capital of the coastal province.

The sources reported that powerful explosions shook the city following the US airstrikes targeting the Houthi missile depots.

Earlier in the day, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a commercial vessel sustained minor damage after being attacked twice near the coastal city of Mocha, overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb strait in southwestern Yemen.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) seen by Barran Press, UKMTO said that "the master of a commercial vessel reported two incidents approximately 64 nautical miles northwest of Mocha, Yemen."

The statement added that "the first incident involved an unmanned aerial system (UAS) that detonated close to the vessel, causing minor damage." The second incident involved an "unmanned surface vessel (USV) that detonated close to the vessel."

The statement did not disclose the identity of the vessel or its owner. It also did not mention the perpetrator of the attack, and the Houthis, who are usually responsible for such maritime attacks, have not commented on the incident.

Since last November, the Houthis have continued their attacks using missiles and drones against commercial vessels in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.

The group's attacks have led to increased maritime insurance costs and prompted many international shipping companies to opt for the much longer route around the southern tip of Africa.

To deter the Houthis and protect maritime navigation, the United States formed a multinational coalition in December 2023. Meanwhile, US forces have been carrying out strikes against Houthi military targets.

Since January 12, the US and UK have conducted approximately 560 airstrikes against the Houthis. These strikes have resulted in the deaths of 58 Houthi fighters and injuries to 86 others, according to the group's own admission.

The internationally recognized Yemeni government maintains that Western airstrikes are ineffective in neutralizing the Houthi threat to navigation and that the most effective solution is to support its armed forces to retake Hodeida, its ports, and other areas under Houthi control.

Despite the group's continued maritime attacks, only three vessels out of 162 have suffered significant damage or injuries since last November, according to the Houthis.