U.S.-British Air Strikes Target Houthi Positions in Sana'a, Al-Hodeidah, and Dhamar

Local sources reported on Friday, October 4, 2024, that a series of airstrikes, described as the most extensive to date, targeted sites in the capital city of Sana'a and the coastal provinces of Al-Hodeidah and Dhamar, all under Houthi control and designated as a terrorist group.

Houthi-affiliated media outlets indicated that ten airstrikes had recently targeted locations in Sana'a and the western part of Al-Hodeidah province.

According to local sources speaking to Barran Press, the strikes in Sana'a were concentrated on the Maintenance Camp and the Technical Security Directorate in the Al-Hasabah area, amounting to approximately six airstrikes.

Videos circulated on social media showed thick smoke rising from the targeted sites in Al-Hodeidah, along with footage of the strikes affecting the Maintenance Camp. Houthi media reported that four "aggressive" airstrikes hit the Al-Khiteb area west of Al-Hodeidah city, while other local sources confirmed that the strikes targeted the naval forces camp at Ras Al-Khiteb.

Additionally, local and regional media reported further airstrikes targeting sites in Dhamar province, located 130 kilometers south of Sana'a.

While these strikes are believed to be from U.S. and British forces, no party had claimed responsibility for the airstrikes as of the report's writing at 17:47 Sana'a time, and the Houthi group had not attributed the bombings to any specific entity.

This marks the first and largest attack of its kind targeting the Yemeni capital and other Houthi-controlled areas since the Arab coalition suspended its air operations to support the internationally recognized Yemeni government nearly three years ago.

Since November, the Houthi group has launched missile attacks on commercial ships in the Red and Arabian Seas, creating a crisis in international shipping that has impacted China and several other trading nations.

Before these attacks, approximately 99% of container ships traveling between Europe and China passed through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. In recent weeks, half of these vessels have been forced to navigate around the African continent and Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, significantly increasing transit times and freight costs.

To deter the Houthis and protect maritime navigation, the United States established a multinational coalition in December 2023, while U.S. forces have intermittently conducted strikes against Houthi military targets.