The Houthi- run al-Masirah TV channel reported three airstrikes on the Ras Issa area, northwest of Hodeidah, near a naval base. However, the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) did not confirm the airstrikes.
On social network X, Mr. Hussein al-Ezzy - Houthi official - said that this force is considering "completely closing the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the coming days" to pressure Israel to end the conflict in Gaza.
Houthi helicopters approach the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea. (Photo: Reuters)
If the Bab al-Mandab Strait - a vital chokepoint for maritime traffic between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean - were blocked, global oil supplies and trade would be severely disrupted.
Earlier, CENTCOM announced that US forces had destroyed four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and two anti-ship cruise missiles of Houthi forces in Yemen after determining that they were a potential threat to US Navy ships and warships.
According to CENTCOM, the UAVs and cruise missiles were about to be launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, targeting the Red Sea. In addition, the US military also shot down three Houthi suicide UAVs near commercial ships operating in the Red Sea.
In addition, CENTCOM confirmed that the US military attacks were conducted on February 22 and 23 (local time), with no damage recorded to any ships.
Yemen's Houthi forces have repeatedly used UAVs and missiles to attack international commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait since mid-November 2023 to show solidarity with Palestinians after the Hamas-Israel conflict broke out in the Gaza Strip.
The US-UK coalition has responded with dozens of airstrikes targeting Houthi facilities in Yemen. Escalating tensions between the Houthis and Western powers are pushing the Red Sea region into a state of extremely serious security instability.
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