Saudi-Led Coalition Launches Airstrikes in Hodeidah After Sanaa

International Desk

A Saudi-led military coalition has launched airstrikes in the Ras Isa area of Hodeidah, which is under the control of Yemen’s Houthi rebels. On Tuesday (October 13), Hodeidah was targeted after an earlier attack on the capital, Sanaa.

Hodeidah is home to a major port and several oil facilities. A Yemeni source said an oil facility in western Sanaa had been targeted in an earlier strike.

Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, had instructed people to evacuate an oil facility in Sanaa’s Saba area. Following the warning, the Houthis threatened retaliatory attacks against Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis said that if Saudi Arabia attacked Sanaa, they would target Aramco’s headquarters in Dammam, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and an Aramco oil refinery. However, no new attacks on those sites have been reported.

Last Saturday, a Houthi missile attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport reportedly killed 12 people and injured more than 300 others. Two Bangladeshis were among those killed. Following the incident, Saudi Arabia had repeatedly warned of tougher action against the Houthis.

Meanwhile, ground fighting between Houthi rebels and government forces continues in various parts of Yemen alongside the airstrikes. Clashes around the city of Taiz have intensified. According to an Al Jazeera report, the Houthis are close to capturing the city.