The United States and the United Kingdom intensified their military response against the Houthi rebels in Yemen by conducting airstrikes in the Hodeidah province along the Red Sea coastline.
These operations specifically targeted Houthi positions in the Alluheyah district, located in the northwest part of Hodeidah, as reported by the Houthi-affiliated al-Masirah TV.
The details of the strikes remain sparse, and there has been no official statement from the coalition forces responsible for safeguarding commercial shipping in the Red Sea regarding these recent actions.
This military action follows a Houthi-claimed assault on the Star Iris, a commercial bulk carrier managed by the United States, which was navigating the southern Red Sea near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. The UK Maritime Trade Operations, which monitors maritime security, confirmed that the vessel was hit by two missiles, resulting in minor damage but no injuries to the crew.
The Houthis have openly declared their intention to continue targeting vessels associated with Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
This stance is part of a broader campaign by the Houthis, who have increased their maritime attacks since mid-November of the previous year, citing solidarity with the Palestinian cause in Gaza and demanding an end to Israeli actions against Palestinians.