According to Al Jazeera analysis, all the airstrikes that have occurred in the past week have caught the Yemeni government forces off guard. These Houthi airstrikes targeted locations not seen in recent years, including the port of Al-Makha. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree issued a statement claiming it was a large-scale destruction operation using dozens of missiles and Yemeni drones, targeting what he described as Saudi forces in Al-Makha. This suggests the Houthis may be planning an operation to regain control of the port. Al-Makha is a strategic location on the western coast of Taiz province. The port provides strategic advantages not only towards the Red Sea but also allows for monitoring of tankers and ships from the Arabian Sea. The Houthis stated that the attack was launched because they believe Saudi Arabia is using the port to reinforce and supply Yemeni government forces stationed in the Taiz region.
