Yemen's Houthi forces launched a new missile and drone attack on the Red Sea port city of al-Makha (Mocha), expanding their campaign against government-held areas along Yemen's western coast, killing at least 11 people.
The new attack came on Sunday evening, less than 24 hours after an earlier volley of missiles targeted al-Makha and its commercial port. Yemeni government forces said their air defenses intercepted six drones in the new attack, while two ballistic missiles fell into the sea without hitting their targets.
Footage broadcast by the Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV channel showed multiple ballistic missiles and drones being launched. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the campaign targeted Saudi military concentrations and weapons depots in the area, according to Reuters.
Earlier on Sunday, attacks on al-Makha killed at least 11 people, including eight soldiers and three civilians, and wounded 32 others, according to the latest figures cited by AFP.
The attacks also caused major damage at al-Makha port. Local authorities said buildings and commercial facilities were hit, while AP reported damage to port infrastructure, commercial goods, and food supplies.
Government forces also said they intercepted and destroyed a suicide drone boat approaching the commercial port. During the new attack late Sunday, the National Resistance Forces, allied with Yemen's internationally recognized government, called on residents of al-Makha to stay indoors, accusing the Houthis of indiscriminate shelling.
The Houthis said the campaign involved a large number of ballistic missiles and drones, launched in response to Saudi Arabia's continued military buildup, including reinforcements for coalition forces with weapons and equipment along Yemen's western coast and Taiz province. Houthi political council member Hizam al-Assad claimed the explosions, fires, and smoke columns at the port were due to a large quantity of weapons and military equipment stored there.
The escalation was not limited to al-Makha but also targeted the al-Khokha area, south of the port city of Hodeidah. Al-Jumhuriya TV, affiliated with the National Resistance Forces led by Tareq Saleh, a member of the Presidential Leadership Council, said government-appointed Hodeidah governor al-Hassan Taher survived an assassination attempt on Sunday when a Houthi ballistic missile hit his residence in the district.
