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Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes on Yemen's Houthi-controlled Hodeida province on Friday, hitting rebel-held sites after the Iran-backed group moved to block Saudi shipping in the Red Sea.
Houthi-run Al-Masirah television reported that Saudi strikes targeted Hodeida province, identifying the telecommunications authority's facilities and Kamaran Island among the locations hit. It did not provide details on casualties or the extent of the damage.
The strikes took place hours after Saudi state media reported that the Saudi-owned vessel NCC MASA sustained minor hull damage while sailing through the Red Sea. The ship resumed its voyage after authorities confirmed it was safe to continue.
A day earlier, the Houthis claimed they had targeted two Saudi-owned vessels, the Encela and the Laylia, with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.
The incidents follow the Houthis' announcement of a maritime blockade targeting Saudi shipping through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, warning commercial operators against using Saudi ports.
The group warned commercial operators to avoid Saudi ports, saying any vessel loading or discharging cargo there could become a military target, regardless of its nationality or final destination.
The Houthis announced the blockade on July 20, accusing Riyadh of imposing its own blockade on areas of Yemen controlled by the internationally recognized government.
Saudi Arabia rejected the accusation, saying the ports of Hodeida, Salif and Ras Isa received more than 300 ships carrying food, fuel and construction materials during the first half of 2026.
The Foreign Ministry argued that the kingdom has continued supporting Yemen through humanitarian and economic assistance while enforcing U.N. restrictions aimed at preventing weapons smuggling.
The Saudi-led coalition said it had begun implementing additional security measures for vessels transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait and warned it would respond firmly to any threats against maritime navigation.
The Houthis later denied shutting the Bab al-Mandab Strait, saying on Friday that their maritime measures targeted only Saudi-linked shipping rather than all vessels transiting the waterway.
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