26.07.2026 14:17
Airstrikes were carried out on the city of Hodeidah in Yemen, which overlooks the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—a critical global oil trade route—and contains ports opening to the Red Sea. Multiple locations were intensely bombarded, with moments of explosions and fires captured on camera.
It has been reported that some points in Yemen's Hodeidah city, which has ports opening to the Red Sea, were subjected to intense bombardment, and sounds of successive explosions were heard in the city.
ATTACKS CARRIED OUT IN SUCCESSION
Local sources stated that some points in Hodeidah city were exposed to heavy bombardment. It was noted that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) flew intensively in the city, where successive explosion sounds were heard.
Sources reported that the bombardment caused panic among the public, with smoke rising from some points. The attack and subsequent explosions were captured on camera. No official statement has yet been made regarding the targets of the bombardment or the casualties it caused.
HOUTHIS: THE ATTACK WAS CARRIED OUT BY SAUDI ARABIA
Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen claimed that the explosions resulted from airstrikes by Saudi Arabian warplanes. The Houthis announced that Saudi Arabia attacked Kamaran Island following the city of Hodeidah.
A SAUDI VESSEL HIT IN THE RED SEA
It was reported that a Saudi Arabian vessel sailing in the Red Sea was targeted, and the attack caused minor damage to the ship's hull.
According to a news report from the Saudi official agency SPA, citing an official source from the General Transport Authority, it was confirmed that the ship and its crew are safe.
It was stated that the targeted vessel continued its journey to its destination after inspections.
IMPORTANCE OF HODEIDAH
For the global economy and energy trade, Hodeidah is, beyond being an individual port city, one of the most critical landmasses controlling the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
As seen in the map below, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, connecting the Indian Ocean with the Red Sea, is one of the main transit routes for natural gas and crude oil between Europe and Asia.
Hodeidah is a critical "chokepoint" control point, with approximately 6 to 8 million barrels of oil passing through daily, and its dominant position over the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
Security risks and military activity in the city cause oil tankers to avoid the Red Sea–Suez route and divert to the Cape of Good Hope route around Africa, extending travel times by approximately two weeks and multiplying freight, fuel, and insurance costs. Consequently, any instability around Hodeidah directly leads to rising crude oil prices, disruption of supply chains, and increased inflationary pressure globally.
Source: AA