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.



Israeli Forces Surround Lebanon’s Khiam Ahead of Storming it

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
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Israeli Forces Surround Lebanon’s Khiam Ahead of Storming it

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)

Israeli forces have blocked supply routes to the southern Lebanese border city of al-Khiam ahead of storming it.

They have also surrounded the strategic city with Hezbollah fighters still inside, launching artillery and air attacks against them.

Hezbollah fighters have been holding out in Khiam for 25 days. The capture of the city would be significant and allow Israeli forces easier passage into southern Lebanon.

Field sources said Israeli forces have already entered some neighborhoods of Khiam from its eastern and southern outskirts, expanding their incursion into its northern and eastern sectors to fully capture the city.

They cast doubt on claims that the city has been fully captured, saying fighting is still taking place deeper inside its streets and alleys, citing the ongoing artillery fire and drone and air raids.

Israel has already cut off Hezbollah’s supply routes by seizing control of Bourj al-Mamlouk, Tall al-Nahas and olive groves in al-Qlaa in the Marayoun region. Its forces have also fanned out to the west towards the Litani River.

The troops have set up a “line of fire” spanning at least seven kms around Khiam to deter anti-tank attacks from Hezbollah and to launch artillery, drone and aerial attacks, said the sources.

The intense pressure has forced Hezbollah to resort to suicide drone attacks against Israeli forces.

Hezbollah’s al-Manar television said Israeli forces tried to carry out a new incursion towards Khiam’s northern neighborhoods.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that since Friday night, Israeli forces have been using “all forms of weapons in their attempt to capture Khiam, which Israel views as a strategic gateway through which it can make rapid ground advances.”

It reported an increase in air and artillery attacks in the past two days as the forces try to storm the city.

The troops are trying to advance on Khiam by first surrounding it from all sides under air cover, it continued.

They are also booby-trapping some homes and buildings and then destroying them, similar to what they have done in other southern towns, such as Adeisseh, Yaround, Aitaroun and Mais al-Jabal.

Khiam holds symbolic significance to the Lebanese people because it was the first city liberated following Israel’s implementation of United Nations Security Council 425 on May 25, 2000, that led to its withdrawal from the South in a day that Hezbollah has since declared Liberation Day.