Houthis Claim Strike on Saudi Forces Gathering in Yemen's Mocha Port

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed on August 9 (local time) that they carried out airstrikes targeting Saudi Arabian forces stationed in the southwestern port city of Mocha.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement that they "carried out a large-scale, precision-guided strike operation targeting a gathering of Saudi enemy forces and weapons depots in the Mocha region."

Sarea stated that multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were deployed, extensively destroying Saudi equipment and weapons, and causing dozens of casualties, including Saudi nationals.

Sarea justified the airstrike as a response to "Saudi Arabia's continued military buildup, replenishment of weapons and equipment, and attacks on the western coast and Taiz Governorate."

Saudi Arabia has not yet released any official statement regarding the incident.

Earlier that day, the Houthis claimed that a fire at an oil refinery operated by the Saudi state-owned oil company Aramco in Jizan, Saudi Arabia, earlier that morning was also the result of their drone attack.

Following Saudi attacks on the Houthi-held port of Hodeidah, the Houthi rebels launched a missile attack on Aramco's refinery complex in Jizan province on June 25, prompting the facility to temporarily suspend operations two days later.

Backed by Iran, the Houthis recently declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia and have attacked Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, while Saudi Arabia has responded by striking Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.