US warplanes launched five airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, media reported on Wednesday. The strikes hit in the area of Ras Issa in the district of al-Salif, northwest of the city, with no casualties reported, according to the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.
Residents of Hodeidah reported huge explosions in the Houthi-controlled military sea base in Ras Issa. The Houthis have been launching anti-ship missile attacks against international shipping vessels transiting the Red Sea since mid-November, in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
The attacks have resulted in damage to many ships, forcing major shipping companies to change routes around Africa, leading to increased shipping and goods prices. The US military has been targeting Houthi facilities almost daily since January but has not commented on the alleged fresh strikes.
The Houthi rebels have controlled the strategic Hodeidah since the 2018 UN-sponsored Stockholm Agreement, backed by the US and Britain, which forced the internationally recognized government out.
The armed conflict in Yemen continues to escalate with frequent airstrikes and missile attacks, causing a humanitarian crisis and further destabilizing the region. The situation in Hodeidah remains tense as the US military’s involvement in the conflict persists.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely and push for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The impact of the ongoing violence on the civilian population and global shipping remains a major concern.
