Battle of Al Hudaydah begins

On 13/06/2018, the Saudi led coalition and allied Yemeni forces launched Operation Golden Victory, a large scale military offensive aimed at recapturing the Red Sea port city of Al Hudaydah from Houthi rebels during Yemen’s ongoing civil war. The assault marked one of the most intense phases of the conflict, with coalition forces attempting to seize a city that served as Yemen’s most important commercial and humanitarian gateway. The operation began shortly after a United Arab Emirates imposed deadline for Houthi withdrawal from the city expired at midnight on 12/06/2018. The offensive involved approximately 2,000 Emirati troops working alongside several Yemeni anti Houthi factions, including fighters associated with the Giants Brigades and other southern resistance groups. Saudi led coalition aircraft conducted heavy airstrikes while naval forces positioned off the Red Sea coast provided additional military support. During the opening phase of the assault, coalition warplanes reportedly carried out at least 30 airstrikes targeting Houthi positions near the southern outskirts of Al Hudaydah and around the city’s international airport. Al Hudaydah held major strategic value because it handled an estimated 70 to 80 percent of Yemen’s food, fuel, medicine, and humanitarian aid imports. Coalition officials argued that capturing the port would disrupt Houthi supply routes and prevent alleged Iranian weapons shipments from entering Yemen through the Red Sea coastline. Houthi authorities denied accusations of weapons smuggling and pledged to resist the offensive. The battle immediately triggered international concern over the potential humanitarian consequences. The United Nations, aid organizations, and humanitarian agencies warned that fighting in and around the port city could worsen Yemen’s already severe humanitarian crisis. UN officials cautioned that as many as 250,000 civilians could be displaced if urban combat intensified, while millions across the country risked losing access to essential supplies if port operations were interrupted. Relief agencies also expressed concern about damage to infrastructure critical for food distribution and medical assistance. During the first week of fighting, coalition backed forces reported advances along the southern edge of the city and claimed control of Al Hudaydah International Airport after intense clashes. Although the airport had not been functioning fully for civilian traffic since earlier stages of the war, the location carried military significance because of its proximity to key access routes into the city. Fighting around Al Hudaydah continued for months, eventually leading to international diplomatic pressure and negotiations that resulted in the Stockholm Agreement signed in December 2018. Historical Significance Operation Golden Victory became one of the defining military campaigns of the Yemen conflict because it centered on Al Hudaydah, a city directly linked to the country’s humanitarian survival. The battle demonstrated how military objectives and humanitarian concerns became deeply interconnected during the war, with control of a single port carrying consequences far beyond the front lines.