Houthis Display Military Strength in Yemen's Hodeidah amid Drop in US Strikes

A photo of a naval torpedo released by the Houthis, claiming it is among their new weapons. (X platform)
A photo of a naval torpedo released by the Houthis, claiming it is among their new weapons. (X platform)
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Houthis Display Military Strength in Yemen's Hodeidah amid Drop in US Strikes

A photo of a naval torpedo released by the Houthis, claiming it is among their new weapons. (X platform)
A photo of a naval torpedo released by the Houthis, claiming it is among their new weapons. (X platform)

As US-led airstrikes to weaken the Houthis’ capacity to attack ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden decrease, the Iran-backed group displayed its military might in Hodeidah province, claiming to challenge Washington and Yemeni government forces.

The Houthis gathered thousands of fighters for a joint naval and ground exercise, claiming to have new weapons, including torpedoes, mines, unmanned submarines, and boats.

This show of strength comes amid concerns about a potential international military operation to reclaim the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, which is held by the Houthis.

Alongside a naval exercise that the Houthis claim simulates defense against potential landings, the group conducted ground maneuvers in mountainous and desert areas using artillery, drones, tanks, and various machine guns and sniper rifles.

Recent actions by the Houthis, along with statements from their leaders, indicate fears of an upcoming military operation to reclaim Hodeidah and its ports.

This is evident in the significant reinforcements they have sent to the coastal province, which they control, except for the districts of Al-Khokha and Al-Tuhayata, held by the legitimate Yemeni government.

The government has called on the international community in recent months to address the Houthi threats to maritime navigation.

Officials argue that the best way to stop the group’s attacks on ships is to support government forces rather than rely on US-led airstrikes that have been ongoing since January.

Informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Houthis have moved large reinforcements from Al-Jawf, Dhamar, Sanaa, and Ibb to Hodeidah.

They have also fortified their positions along the front lines, digging more trenches and laying additional minefields in preparation for any surprise attacks from government forces with international support.

In recent days, US operations against Houthi positions have slowed, allowing the group to carry out extensive maneuvers in Hodeidah without facing airstrikes.

On Oct. 17, Washington used stealth bombers for the first time to target Houthi strongholds in Sanaa and Saada, a move seen as a message primarily aimed at Iran.

The Houthis have reported over 770 Western airstrikes since January 12, part of efforts to curb the group’s ability to attack ships in the Red Sea.

The Houthis claim their attacks support the Palestinians in Gaza and, more recently, Hezbollah in Lebanon.

However, the Yemeni government accuses them of furthering Iran’s agenda in the region and avoiding the stalled peace process due to their maritime and regional escalation.

The group alleges it has targeted over 195 vessels in the past year. The Red Sea attacks have led to the sinking of two ships, the hijacking of a third, the deaths of three sailors, and injuries to others.

In recent months, the Houthis have launched hundreds of rockets and drones at Israel, though most have had little effect, except for one drone that killed a person in an apartment in Tel Aviv on July 19.

In response, Israel struck fuel storage facilities in Hodeidah on July 20, killing six people and injuring about 80 others.

Israeli airstrikes continued on September 29, targeting fuel depots in Hodeidah and Ras Isa, as well as two power plants and the city’s airport, which has been inactive for years. These strikes resulted in four deaths and around 30 injuries, according to the Houthis.



Lebanon PM Says Hopes for Ceasefire With Israel in 'Coming Hours or Days'

This handout picture provided by the Lebanese Prime Minister's press office shows Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati delivering a statement to the press in Beirut on October 11, 2024. (Photo by Lebanese Prime Minister's Press Office / AFP)
This handout picture provided by the Lebanese Prime Minister's press office shows Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati delivering a statement to the press in Beirut on October 11, 2024. (Photo by Lebanese Prime Minister's Press Office / AFP)
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Lebanon PM Says Hopes for Ceasefire With Israel in 'Coming Hours or Days'

This handout picture provided by the Lebanese Prime Minister's press office shows Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati delivering a statement to the press in Beirut on October 11, 2024. (Photo by Lebanese Prime Minister's Press Office / AFP)
This handout picture provided by the Lebanese Prime Minister's press office shows Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati delivering a statement to the press in Beirut on October 11, 2024. (Photo by Lebanese Prime Minister's Press Office / AFP)

Lebanon's prime minister said US envoy Amos Hochstein had signaled during a phone call Wednesday that a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war was possible before US elections are held on November 5.
"The call today with Hochstein suggested to me that perhaps we could reach a ceasefire in the coming days, before the fifth" of November, Najib Mikati said in a televised interview with Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed.
Hochstein was heading to Israel on Wednesday to discuss conditions for a ceasefire with Hezbollah, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.
Hezbollah's new leader Naim Qassem on Wednesday said the group would agree to a ceasefire with Israel under acceptable terms, but added that a viable deal has yet to be presented, reported AFP.
"We are doing our best... to have a ceasefire within the coming hours or days," Mikati told Al-Jadeed, adding that he was "cautiously optimistic".
Mikati said Hezbollah is no longer linking a ceasefire in Lebanon to a truce in Gaza, but criticized the group over its "late" reversal.
Previously, Hezbollah had repeatedly declared it would stop its attacks on Israel only if a ceasefire was reached in Gaza.
However, Qassem on Wednesday said the group would accept a ceasefire under conditions deemed "appropriate and suitable", without any mention of the Palestinian territory.
Mikati said a ceasefire would be linked to the implementation of the United Nations resolution that ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
Security Council Resolution 1701 states that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers should be deployed in southern Lebanon, while demanding the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory.
"The Lebanese army is ready to strengthen its presence in southern Lebanon" and ensure that the only weapons and military infrastructure in the area are those controlled by the state, Mikati said.
He also said he would continue to try to shield Lebanon's only airport from attacks by Israel.
"I can guarantee that we will not give anyone an excuse to undermine our security or our air traffic," Mikati said.
Aid deliveries from Iran, Iraq and Algeria can "come by sea", he said, in order not to give Israel a pretext to launch strikes.
Mikati also said it was too dangerous to try to reopen Lebanon's main land border with Syria, which was put out of service by an Israeli strike this month.
"We sent a bulldozer to fill the crater at the crossing and it was bombed," Mikati said.
"We will not expose anyone to danger before we have full guarantees."