Coalition Strikes Houthi Fuel Sites in Yemen to Curb Missile, Drone Threats

Operation Overview

On Tuesday, the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen announced it had conducted a military operation targeting Houthi-linked fuel facilities in Sanaa, Hodeidah and Dhamar, accusing the militia of using civilian infrastructure to support missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia and international shipping routes.

Facilities Identified

Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki said the Joint Forces Command had determined that the Houthis were using civilian facilities and vital resources to sustain their military operations.

He said the identified sites included Al-Sabaha Central Station in Sanaa, underground fuel reserves, storage tanks and the infrastructure used for transporting and unloading fuel in Hodeidah, Sanaa and Dhamar.

Impact and Allegations

He added that the Houthis had redirected these assets from their civilian use to bolster their military efforts, thereby depriving Yemeni civilians of essential supplies.

The coalition said the sites were helping to maintain the Houthis’ missile and drone stockpile, a threat to Saudi Arabia, its airports, ports and commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

He noted that the facilities had directly contributed to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, and were being used to prepare for imminent strikes against Saudi civilian sites and commercial vessels in international waters.

He said the aim of the operation was to neutralize Houthi capabilities that threaten Saudi Arabia, Yemen, the southern Red Sea and international maritime lanes.

Humanitarian Precautions and Demands

He emphasized that coalition forces continue to uphold international humanitarian law, having taken feasible steps during planning and execution to limit the risk of civilian casualties and collateral damage.

The coalition further called for an immediate end to Houthi attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.

“The Houthis must immediately cease all terrorist operations targeting civilians and civilian facilities, including airports, ports, oil installations and infrastructure,” Al-Maliki said.

The statement came after an earlier coalition advisory that told civilians to leave Al-Sabaha Central Station in Sanaa before a planned military operation.