Hodeidah – The Political Bureau of Yemen’s Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement has described the Saudi airstrikes targeting sites in Hodeidah province as a “dangerous escalation,” warning that continued military operations could widen the scope of the conflict and undermine efforts to preserve the fragile truce in Yemen. In a statement, the Political Bureau said the airstrikes on Hodeidah constituted “a new act of aggression” and a further escalation by Saudi Arabia, arguing that such developments would negatively affect prospects for de-escalation and regional stability. The statement came after Saudi Arabia announced that it had carried out strikes targeting military sites, weapons depots, and facilities that it said were being used by the Houthi movement to support missile and drone attacks, as well as operations threatening international shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Riyadh stated that the operation was conducted in response to recent attacks targeting Saudi vessels and was part of measures aimed at protecting the Kingdom’s national security and safeguarding international maritime trade routes. The latest escalation follows the Houthis’ announcement of what they described as a “naval blockade” against Saudi Arabia and their claim of responsibility for attacks on tankers and vessels linked to the Kingdom, raising international concerns over growing tensions in one of the world’s most strategic maritime trade corridors.