Houthis Claim Responsibility for Attack on Al-Makha Port Following Saudi Defense Pact

SANAA, Yemen — The Houthi movement officially claimed responsibility Sunday for a coordinated attack on the strategic port of Al-Makha in southern Yemen, an assault that resulted in significant infrastructure damage and casualties among Saudi nationals. The strike occurred shortly after 10:00 local time as part of escalating tensions between the Iran-backed militia and Riyadh.

In a statement released through their official media channels, Houthi commanders announced they had targeted Al-Makha to protest what they described as an aggressive expansion of military alliances by Saudi Arabia. The group specifically cited a newly signed defense pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan as the primary motivation for the operation. "This attack is a direct response to Riyadh's attempt to encircle our region with foreign powers," said a Houthi spokesperson in the statement.

The port facility, located on the Red Sea coast approximately 100 kilometers south of Aden, suffered extensive damage during the incident. Eyewitness accounts from the area described multiple explosions and thick smoke rising over the container terminals as emergency crews rushed to contain fires that broke out following the initial impact. While specific casualty figures remain unconfirmed by independent monitors on the ground, Houthi officials stated that several Saudi security personnel were killed or injured in the strike.

Saudi Arabia has not yet issued an official comment regarding the attack's specifics or confirmed any casualties among its citizens stationed at the facility. However, diplomatic sources indicate that Riyadh is reviewing its regional defense posture following the incident. The timing of the assault comes just days after leaders from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan finalized a trilateral security agreement aimed at bolstering mutual defense capabilities against shared threats in the Middle East.

The Houthi group has long maintained control over Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and key coastal areas since their takeover began more than a decade ago. They have frequently targeted Saudi infrastructure during periods of heightened diplomatic friction with Riyadh. This latest attack marks one of the most significant strikes on port facilities in recent years, raising concerns among international shipping operators about potential disruptions to Red Sea trade routes.

Regional analysts suggest that the defense pact between the three nations may have been intended to counter Iranian influence in the region, a move Houthi leaders view as an existential threat. The militia's decision to strike Al-Makha underscores their willingness to use military force to challenge diplomatic initiatives they oppose.

As of Monday morning, access to the port remains restricted while assessment teams evaluate the full extent of the structural damage. It is unclear whether further retaliatory measures are planned by either side or if international mediators will intervene to de-escalate the situation before additional violence occurs.