Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group launched ballistic missile and drone attacks on a Saudi amphibious transport ship and four escort naval vessels off Mocha port in the Red Sea on August 17, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree described the strikes as "direct and precise," stating some ships caught fire and several sank as a result [2, 3].
In addition to the naval attack, the Houthis targeted a Saudi weapons depot at Sahn al-Jin camp in Marib province with multiple drones, triggering a fire [2, 3]. The port city of Mocha lies near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime chokepoint on the Red Sea important for international shipping [1, 2].
Saudi authorities have not issued an immediate confirmation or response to the attacks [1, 3]. The missile and drone strikes come amid an escalation of Houthi operations around Mocha that began on August 9, causing casualties, damage to port infrastructure, and disruptions to shipping [2].
The Houthis imposed a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea in July 2026, citing a Saudi siege on Yemen, which Riyadh denies [1]. The Houthi group has described their attacks as a "siege for siege" campaign against Saudi Arabia [2].
Since July, the Houthis have continued targeting Saudi naval assets and critical infrastructure in and near Yemen. Tracking the recent timeline, the naval blockade began in July, escalated attacks around Mocha opened on August 9, and culminated with the missile and drone strikes on August 17 [1, 2, 3].
The latest attacks involved five Saudi ships: an amphibious transport vessel and four escort naval vessels were hit by the Houthi strikes [1, 2, 3]. Yahya Saree said, "Several of the targeted ships had been sunk – while the rest had caught fire – as a result of the attack" [3].
The situation remains fluid, with no indication yet of Saudi countermeasures or further escalations following the August 17 strikes.
