Yemen’s Al-Makha Port Attacked Again, 11 Lives Lost
Houthi rebels launched new missile and drone attacks on the Red Sea port city of al-Makha in Yemen on Sunday. These attacks killed at least 11 people. Another 32 people were injured.
The victims included eight military personnel and three civilians. This new wave of violence happened less than a day after an earlier attack. That previous strike also hit al-Makha and its commercial port.
Yemeni government forces said their air defenses stopped six drones. Two ballistic missiles landed in the sea without hitting anything. Government forces also destroyed an explosive boat approaching the port.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree spoke about the operation. He said it targeted Saudi military groups and weapons stores in the area. The Houthis stated they used many ballistic missiles and drones in the attacks.
The rebels claimed these attacks were a response to Saudi Arabia building up its military. Houthi official Hizam al-Assad said large amounts of weapons were stored at the port. He claimed these caused the explosions and fires seen there.
The attacks caused much damage at al-Makha’s port. Buildings and commercial shops were hit. Port structures, commercial goods, and food supplies were also damaged.
The violence was not only in al-Makha. The al-Khokha district, south of Hodeidah city, was also targeted. The government-appointed governor of Hodeidah, al-Hassan Taher, survived an attack on his home. A Houthi ballistic missile struck his residence in al-Khokha.
The National Resistance Forces, who support the Yemeni government, asked al-Makha residents to stay inside. They accused the Houthis of shelling without aiming at specific targets.
