Overview

• The Israeli military confirmed that navy missile ships carried out Tuesday’s strike, marking the first sea-based assault on the Houthi-held Hodeida port.
• The targeted docks serve as the main entry point for food and other humanitarian aid to millions of Yemenis and are now likely damaged.
• Houthi rebels have launched persistent missile and drone attacks on commercial and military vessels in solidarity with Gaza, disrupting a key $1 trillion trade corridor.
• From November 2023 to January 2025, the Houthis struck over 100 merchant ships—sinking two and killing four sailors—before pausing operations until a U.S. assault in mid-March.
• U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said U.S. Navy ships recently transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait without challenge, underscoring the impact of Operation ROUGH RIDER.