Al Jazeera said airstrikes over the past week surprised Yemeni government forces
and struck locations not hit in years, including Al-Makha port in western Taiz
province. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said the operation used dozens of
missiles and Yemeni drones against what the group called Saudi forces at
Al-Makha and described it as a large-scale destructive action; the Houthis said
the strikes responded to Saudi use of the port to reinforce and resupply
pro-government troops in Taiz. Al-Makha provides strategic access to the
southern Red Sea and visibility on tanker and ship movements from the Arabian
Sea; the Houthis’ statements indicate they may be preparing to retake the port.
