Barran Press
On Friday, July 26, 2024, US and UK fighter jets launched airstrikes against sites belonging to the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, in the coastal province of Hodeidah, western Yemen.
According to Houthi media, the US-UK airstrikes targeted the island of "Kamaran" in the coastal province of Hodeidah on the Red Sea, with four airstrikes. The Houthis have converted the island into a base for launching attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.
On Thursday evening, local sources reported that US-UK aircraft had targeted Houthi sites at Hodeidah International Airport with five airstrikes.
Early Friday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the destruction of a Houthi drone launch platform in an area under the group's control within the past 24 hours.
CENTCOM stated in a statement posted on the "X" platform, monitored by "Barran Press": "Over the past 24 hours, US Central Command forces successfully destroyed a Houthi drone launch platform in an area under their control," without specifying the location.
On Saturday, July 20, Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on the port of Hodeidah, targeting fuel tanks, a power station, and other facilities, resulting in fires that raged for days.
According to Houthi statistics, the Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of nine civilians and injuries to 80 others. Many consider this the first such attack since the Houthis engaged in military operations on November 21, 2023.
Later, Israel claimed responsibility for the airstrikes. An Israeli military spokesperson stated: "Our fighter jets launched airstrikes on targets belonging to the Houthi regime in the Hodeidah port area in Yemen," noting that the strikes were "in retaliation for Houthi attacks over the past months."
Early last Friday, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority announced the death of one Israeli and injuries to 10 others following the crash of a drone in the middle of Tel Aviv. The Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attack, describing it as "the first of its kind."
Since last November, the Houthi group, globally designated as a terrorist organization, has continued its attacks with missiles and drones against commercial shipping 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 the African continent.
To deter the Houthis and protect maritime traffic, 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 number of US and UK airstrikes against the Houthis on the ground has reached approximately 560, resulting in the deaths of 58 individuals and injuries to 86 others, according to the group's own admission.
The internationally recognized Yemeni government maintains that Western strikes are ineffective in neutralizing the Houthi threat to navigation and that the most effective solution is to support its armed forces in reclaiming Hodeidah, its ports, and other areas under Houthi control.
Despite the group's continued adoption of more maritime attacks, only three ships out of 162 claimed to have been targeted since last November have reported serious incidents or injuries.