A UAE-led coalition carried out a military response against Houthi militia targets in Yemen's Hodeidah governorate on June 17, 2024 [1].

The operation highlights the ongoing volatility in the region and the conflicting narratives regarding the targeting of critical maritime infrastructure. Because Hodeidah serves as a vital entry point for aid and commerce, any disruption to the port can have significant humanitarian implications.

A coalition spokesperson said the military response was proportionate and aimed at legitimate targets belonging to the Houthi militia [1]. The spokesperson said that Hodeidah port was not targeted and that all Yemeni ports remain open for maritime navigation [1].

However, reports from Houthi-affiliated media provide a different account of the events. Al-Masirah channel said that U.S. and British forces launched at least six attacks [2] against Hodeidah and Kamaran Island [2].

These contradictions center on whether the port itself was a target of the strikes. While the coalition denies any hits on the port facility, Houthi-affiliated sources maintain that the strikes specifically hit the Hodeidah area [1, 2].

The coalition said the strikes were a retaliation for Houthi attacks on coalition-controlled areas [1]. The operation took place in the Hodeidah governorate, a strategic coastal region that has been a focal point of conflict between the militia and coalition forces [1].

“"all Yemeni ports remain open for maritime navigation"”

The disparity between the coalition's statement and Houthi-affiliated reports reflects a broader information war over the control and stability of Yemen's coastline. By emphasizing that the port remains open, the coalition seeks to avoid international condemnation regarding humanitarian access, while the Houthi narrative aims to frame the conflict as a direct intervention by Western powers.