The Saudi Arabia-led multinational coalition conducted limited airstrikes on Yemen's strategic Mukalla Port on December 30, 2025, according to an official statement from the coalition spokesperson. The operation comes amid heightened tensions in the Arabian Peninsula as regional security concerns escalate.
Civilians, armed personnel, and fishermen in Hadhramaut province were urged to evacuate the port area through Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV broadcasts early Tuesday. Military analysts note Mukalla's significance as a hub for regional maritime trade and energy shipments through the Gulf of Aden.
While coalition officials described the strikes as precision-targeted, humanitarian organizations have expressed concern for the port's civilian population. The United Nations reports over 500,000 residents rely on Mukalla for essential goods and fishing livelihoods.
This development follows months of renewed instability in Yemen's southeastern regions. Regional observers suggest the operation aims to disrupt alleged weapons smuggling routes, though no official confirmation has been provided regarding specific targets.
