Saudi Arabia is attacking Hodeidah, a Yemeni group | Story

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The Houthi-controlled Foreign Ministry has warned that the attack will lead to an escalation of the war in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia has begun airstrikes on the Yemeni Houthi city of Hodeidah, the group’s foreign ministry said, in the latest escalation of tensions between the United States and Iran.

The ministry warned that late Friday’s attack would cost Riyadh money, meaning the group would respond to the protests.

“Looking at Hodeidah, the Saudi government has made a” step up” demonstration of the upcoming phase,” the ministry said.

The attack comes amid a major crisis, after the Houthis announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia and seized several of its ships.

The attack appears to be escalating tensions in the region, with the United States at war with Iran, and Israel continuing to wage war in Gaza and Lebanon.

“Saudi attacks followed by airstrikes have affected the telecommunications authorities,” Al-Masirah television reported, adding that the attacks also affected the island of Kamaran.

The Houthi blockade, which was announced on July 20, was designed by leaders as an “eye for an eye” in response to last week’s attack on Sanaa airport, which the group blamed on Saudi Arabia.

Military spokesman Yahya Saree said at the time that the attack had ended a “phase of detente” the two sides had been in since the 2022 ceasefire.

Although not implemented, the deal lasted four years and was the longest in the war since the Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to support the government.

The port of Hodeidah handles large amounts of commercial and humanitarian goods sent to Houthi-controlled northern Yemen, making it one of the rebel group’s most vulnerable areas.