Yemen Conflict Intensifies: Houthi Attacks Saudi Military Base While Fighting Government Forces

As Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels swiftly seized control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic chokepoint at the entrance of the Red Sea, the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces launched a counteroffensive to retake the key region.

Citing Yemen's state-run Saba news agency, AFP reported that government forces destroyed Houthi vehicles and weapons and killed fighters near the Red Sea port of Mokha on the 12th local time.

Saba news reported, citing a government military spokesperson, that targets near the port of Mokha were also struck.

The Yemeni government forces stated via social media that the Yemeni air force launched three airstrikes against Houthi strongholds and barracks in the Taiz region, describing them as a terrorist group.

The Houthis announced that day that "Saudi enemy aircraft launched 129 airstrikes on areas under our control over the past 48 hours."

The Houthis are reportedly occupying Mayun Island, which is necessary to control the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a major oil shipping route, in addition to the port of Mokha.

As attacks by the government forces and Saudi Arabia continued, the Houthis launched a counter-response.

Saudi authorities stated that evening that a Houthi projectile landed in the Jizan region near the border, injuring two people and damaging several buildings, including a mosque, and vehicles. Meanwhile, the Houthis claimed to have attacked a military base in Sharurah, southern Saudi Arabia, using drones and missiles.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the attack targeted "weapons depots and command-and-control centers of those leading the aggression against our country and people."

During a press conference in Ireland that day, U.S. President Trump also mentioned that the Houthis had called him to say they do not want to fight the United States, signaling an intention not to join the military attacks against the Houthi rebels.

The civil war in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthi rebels seized the capital, Sana'a. After a lull following a 2022 truce, the conflict has escalated since July into a battle for control over the Red Sea amid intensifying tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

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