Houthis Strike Yemen Port and Saudi Aramco Facilities

The Houthis launched a series of ballistic missile and drone attacks on Friday targeting the government-controlled port city of Mocha in Yemen and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia. In Mocha, the group fired six ballistic missiles and deployed 44 drones, 15 of which were shot down. Reports on casualties vary, with the internationally recognized government of Yemen reporting four civilian deaths and other sources claiming between four and eight fatalities, including two security personnel. The strikes set several fishing boats on fire and allegedly destroyed a Saudi Arabian weapons shipment.

While the government of Yemen stated the attacks targeted civilian infrastructure and national assets, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the operation targeted Saudi-backed military gatherings, warships, and weapons. The Houthis also attempted three booby-trapped boat attacks, including one targeting an oil tanker near the Bab El-Mandab Strait.

Simultaneously, the Houthis conducted drone strikes against Saudi Aramco facilities in Najran and Jizan. The group justified the Najran attack as a response to Saudi aircraft entering the airspace of Yemen's Saada governorate. These escalations follow a July 20 Houthi naval blockade of Saudi Arabia, Saudi-led coalition air strikes in Hodeidah, and a raid on Sanaa International Airport. The violence coincides with broader regional tensions involving a U.S.-led war against Iran and a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.