Houthis launch coordinated sea and air assault near strategic Bab al-Mandab strait

The Houthi militant group has escalated its military operations, launching a widespread attack campaign along Yemen’s western coast. The assault included 44 unmanned drones targeting the port of Mocha, alongside ballistic missiles and explosive-laden boats, according to Yemeni military sources. The strikes represent a significant expansion of the Iranian-backed group’s capabilities in the strategically vital region.
The coordinated assault also targeted shipping infrastructure in the vicinity of Bab al-Mandab, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints through which vast quantities of international trade pass daily. According to Yemeni military officials, the Houthis attempted to strike an oil tanker positioned near the strait during the operation.
The escalation marks the latest in a series of attacks by the Houthis, who have been conducting repeated maritime strikes in the Red Sea and surrounding waters since late 2023. These operations have targeted both commercial shipping and military assets, disrupting global trade routes and prompting international military responses.

Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.