Houthi-Controlled Ports in Yemen Remain Operational Despite Israeli Airstrikes

Despite a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting key infrastructure in Yemen, several ports under Houthi control—including Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif—remain operational, according to local sources and regional observers.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched coordinated strikes on July 6, 2025, aimed at dismantling what it described as Iranian-backed military hubs used by the Houthis to facilitate arms transfers and maritime surveillance. Among the targets was the Galaxy Leader, a commercial vessel previously hijacked by Houthi forces and allegedly repurposed for intelligence operations.
Despite the intensity of the strikes, which included over 50 munitions dropped by Israeli fighter jets, no long-term disruption to port activity has been confirmed. Residents in Hodeidah reported temporary blackouts following damage to the city’s main power station, but port operations resumed within hours.
Houthi officials claimed their air defenses successfully repelled the Israeli assault using domestically produced surface-to-air missiles. The group also launched two ballistic missiles toward Israel in retaliation, though no casualties were reported.
The continued functionality of these ports underscores the Houthis’ entrenched control over Yemen’s western coastline and their ability to maintain logistical operations despite external military pressure.
Israel’s Defense Minister reiterated that any entity threatening Israeli security “will be dealt with forcefully,” signaling that additional operations may follow if Houthi attacks persist.
Aden -- On October 12, 2025, the United States marked the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the USS Cole, a guided missile destroyer attacked by a…
Hodaieah -- Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller–Maersk has confirmed that it will continue to reroute its vessels away from the Red Sea and the…
Aden — In the wake of a newly brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Ali Akbar Velayati, a top foreign policy advisor to Iran’s S…