Deadly Missile Strike Kills Four at Yemen Port, Escalating Conflict
At least four people died in a missile attack on Yemen’s al-Makha port city on Friday. Houthi forces launched six ballistic missiles, according to Yemen’s internationally recognized government. The government said the attack targeted civilian infrastructure. It also hit important national assets at the port.
Initial reports showed four civilians were killed. Several fishing boats also caught fire. An unnamed military official later told AFP news agency that eight people died. This number included two security personnel.
The Houthis, backed by Iran, denied targeting civilians. They said their missiles hit Saudi-backed forces and “mercenaries” in al-Makha. They claimed to have destroyed boats and weapons in the attack.
This attack comes as hostilities increase between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. The ongoing conflict in Yemen now faces a higher risk of returning to widespread fighting.
Separately, the Houthi-run SABA news agency reported another attack. It said Houthi forces used a drone to target an Aramco facility in Najran, Saudi Arabia. The Houthis stated this attack was a response. They claimed Saudi military aircraft entered airspace over Saada governorate in Yemen.
There was no immediate confirmation from Saudi authorities or Aramco about the Najran attack. On Thursday, the Houthis also claimed a drone attack on an Aramco refinery in Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
These events reflect rising regional tensions. The Houthis have become a key group in conflicts involving the US and Iran. Diplomacy between the US and Iran remains stalled. This situation adds to the instability in Yemen and the wider region.
