In a development that underlines the continued tensions in the Red Sea, the government of Yemeni San’aa reported fresh US-British airstrikes targeting Al Hudaydah province on Sunday. The strikes, which hit the At-Tuhayta district, mark a significant rise in the geopolitical confrontation unfolding since late 2023.
Al-Masirah television, in a brief statement, confirmed the airstrikes without giving any details on possible casualties or the degree of material damage. It’s not always that full details come in immediately after these attacks, given the dynamics and fast pace of changes at conflict sites.
Al Hudaydah is a very important province that has continued to bear the brunt of international military interventions. The region hosts an international airport and three vital ports, making it a focal point of the complex maritime conflicts in the Red Sea. The long strip of coastline in this province makes it a critical strategic location that attracts a lot of military attention.
These airstrikes mark a resumption of military actions after a notable pause since November 28, 2023. The sporadic nature of these strikes reflects the dynamic and unpredictable diplomatic landscape in the region.
The current military engagement is intrinsically linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Since the beginning of 2024, a US-led coalition has conducted airstrikes in Yemen, citing them as a response to Yemeni attacks on maritime vessels in the Red Sea. These Yemeni operations are therefore portrayed as supporting of Palestinians who are either kill or deported by what Yemen saying is genocidal Israeli forces.
Houthi Retaliation
In an aggressive diplomatic move, Yemen Houthi forces have been attacking ships owned and associated with Israel through missiles and drones. Their declared aim is to maintain such operations up to the end of the military action in Gaza that started on the 7th of October, 2023.
The rising tensions have however resulted to a major change in the maritime warfare declarations. Recently the Yemeni authorities have announced that they consider all American and British ships as targets of their armed forces, which significantly raises the probabilities of new clashes.
Political analysts and the international community look on with alarm as these maritime and interdiction and retaliatory attack risks extending the geographical front of the Gaza conflict. Diplomatic interactions are still important to avoid further escalation and possibly humanitarian action.
As this publication is being prepared, no statements from the United States and United Kingdom have been released, despite its revelation that British forces participated in the airstrikes. Nevertheless, these actions’ strategic consequences are being assessed by regional and international security analysts. The situation is easily in fragile and any military actions or counteractions may lead to further outcomes.
Regarding the further developments of the event, foreign opponents and diplomatic core are closely observing the events further, in order to prevent the emergence of the full-scale conflict within the region.
