Yemen: US and British military forces launch attacks on Hodeidah and Kamaran Island

US and British military forces launched at least six attacks on Yemen’s Hodeidah International Airport and four more on Kamaran Island, near the Red Sea port of Saleef, in the past few hours, according to the Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV network.

This is the first time that Kamaran Island has been targeted by the US-led international coalition, which has been launching sporadic strikes against Houthi rebel positions since the beginning of February.

The internationally recognized Yemeni government believes that Houthi rebels have launched some of their recent attacks on commercial ships from Kamaran Island and the port of Saleef.

Last week, two commercial ships – the Greek-owned Tutor and the Ukrainian ship Verbena – were struck by Houthi missiles and drones. Their crews had to be abandoned and both ships were in danger of sinking.

Since last November, Yemeni rebels allied with Iran have repeatedly launched missile and drone attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. They initially said they were targeting ships linked to Israel, but later expanded their targets to include ships linked to the US and Britain in response to strikes on their positions in Yemen by forces from those countries.

Houthi attacks in the region have caused problems for global shipping, forcing companies to send their ships on time-consuming and more expensive voyages around South Africa.