Yemen’s Houthi group claimed Sunday that it launched a missile-and-drone attack on Saudi-backed forces in Mocha, a Red Sea port city in western Yemen’s Taiz province.
According to the statement reported by Xinhua, the Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said the attack was targeted at troops’ assemblies and weapons warehouses. In addition, he said that the operation resulted in destruction of weapons and equipment and in deaths and injuries of dozens people, including Saudis. These statements were not verified independently.
A Yemeni government official, who spoke to Xinhua on condition of anonymity, said the Houthis fired several ballistic missiles and more than 18 drones toward Mocha. The official said some projectiles struck civilian areas inside the port. Xinhua also reported that local residents heard explosions and saw smoke.
No independently confirmed casualty and damage statistics were available immediately.
The Houthis referred to the operation as a response to military activities of the Saudis and recent attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen’s western coast and in Taiz province.
Mocha lies near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping routes.
Earlier Sunday, the Houthis claimed a drone strike on a Saudi Aramco refinery in Jazan. The Saudi Energy Ministry said Aramco teams put out a fire there and reported no injuries.
This is a developing story. Virginia Times will update as information becomes available.
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