Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi-held port city of Hudaydah on Friday following a reported attack on a Saudi ship in the Red Sea. The military escalation comes as the Houthi movement declared a naval embargo against Saudi shipping, threatening a severe tit-for-tat retaliation cycle.
The flare-up shatters a period of relative calm along the border that began when Riyadh pivoted toward direct political talks in 2022. That dialogue followed years of devastating conflict sparked when the Iran-backed Houthis seized the capital of Sanaa in late 2014, prompting a Saudi-led military coalition to intervene in 2015 with thousands of airstrikes and a strict blockade.
Airstrikes Hit Hudaydah Port and Kamaran Island Following Ship Attack
The latest violence erupted after a Saudi ship was hit in the region. A Yemeni source confirmed to ynet that the Houthis were behind the attack on the Saudi ship, adding: Maritime navigation systems were targeted at the port of Hudaydah, and according to reports, weapons and fuel depots were also hit, along with many other sites throughout the city.
In swift retaliation, Saudi strikes attacked Yemen’s Red Sea governorate of Hodeidah on Friday, Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported, after eyewitnesses earlier said several strikes had targeted Hodeidah’s port. Saudi channel Al Arabiya reported explosions at weapons depots in the city. Reports also said that strikes were carried out on Kamaran Island, off the coast of Hudaydah. Al Masirah said Saudi strikes hit facilities belonging to the state telecommunications corporation in Hodeidah city, though Reuters could not immediately verify the reports.
Naval Embargo Proclamations and the ‘Eye for an Eye’ Equation
The exchange of fire follows an announcement by Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree declaring a naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, opening a potential new front against the United States in its war with Iran. Saree stated: The Houthi forces announce a naval embargo against the Saudi enemy, based on the equation of ‘an eye for an eye.’ We affirm our people’s right to respond to a blockade with a blockade and to respond to any escalation with escalation.
The current confrontation began about a week and a half ago following a Saudi strike on the international airport in Sanaa, which the Houthis said was intended to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing there. The strike came as part of what they described as a “blockade” that Riyadh was attempting to impose on them in an effort to isolate them. Hours after the Saudi attack, the Houthis launched missiles toward Saudi airports in retaliation, as part of their “eye for an eye” equation. Senior Houthi figure Hazam al-Asad warned of further reprisals, writing: A port for a port, an airport for an airport. Any escalation will be met with a more severe escalation.
Fragile Truce Collapses Under Renewed Regional Friction
Saudi Arabia previously led a broad bombing campaign against the Houthis, Iran’s allies, after the rebels seized the capital Sanaa in late 2014 and ousted the internationally recognized government. Saudi Arabia viewed this as a direct threat to its security and regional influence. In 2015, the kingdom formed a military coalition of Arab countries and launched a wide-ranging campaign that included thousands of airstrikes, a naval and air blockade and support for Yemeni government forces, with the aim of halting the Houthis’ advance and restoring the government to power.
Although the coalition prevented the Houthis from taking control of all of Yemen, it failed to defeat them. The Houthis continued to rule northern Yemen and over the years launched missiles and drones at Saudi cities, airports and oil facilities. At the same time, the war led to one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, and the Saudi-led coalition faced intense international criticism over civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure.
Starting in 2022, Saudi Arabia changed its approach and began promoting direct talks with the Houthis. Until the current escalation, relative calm was maintained along much of the border, while Saudi Arabia focused on efforts to advance a political settlement and support the Yemeni government through economic aid, although a comprehensive peace agreement was never reached. Saudi Arabia has sought to avoid a return to full-scale conflict in Yemen since a 2022 truce with the Houthis halted most major fighting in a war that killed hundreds of thousands of people through violence, hunger and disease. Amid the fresh flare-up, the Saudi-led coalition said it would respond “firmly.”
