On March 19, 2025, the United States military conducted a series of airstrikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah city, targeting a civilian iron and steel plant located in the Salif district, north of the city. This attack, part of a broader offensive on Houthi-controlled territories, has raised significant concerns about the impact on civilian infrastructure and the livelihoods of workers in the region.
The Attack and Its Impact
The privately-owned steel factory, which was hit by 12 U.S. missiles, suffered severe damage. Footage recorded by a China Media Group (CMG) correspondent showed the devastation: the factory's roof collapsed entirely, and debris such as broken bricks, tiles, and shrapnel from artillery shells littered the area. As a result of the destruction, the factory was forced to halt production.
The Houthi-appointed head of Hodeidah's industrial department, Saleh Atifa, estimated that the attack would lead to the unemployment of between 250 and 300 workers. The financial losses for the factory were also substantial, with estimates ranging from $13 million to $14 million USD. This incident marks a severe blow to the civilian economy in the region, which is already under significant strain due to the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
U.S. Military's Justification
The U.S. military defended the airstrike by claiming that its target was a military facility. However, the Houthis and local officials strongly disputed this claim. According to them, the steel plant was a purely civilian facility with no military connections. Hodeidah Governor Abdullah Atifi condemned the strike, highlighting that the factory belonged neither to the state, military, nor security forces and was a private enterprise.
This incident is part of a larger pattern of U.S. military operations targeting Houthi-controlled areas. Over the past few days, U.S. fighter jets have bombed various military sites, residential areas, and infrastructure throughout northern and western Yemen. These operations have been described as part of an ongoing effort to weaken the Houthi rebels, who control significant parts of Yemen, including the capital city of Sanaa.
The Broader Geopolitical Context
This attack in Hodeidah is not occurring in a vacuum. Tensions in the Red Sea region have been intensifying due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The latest round of hostilities, centered on the Gaza Strip, has spilled over into the region, affecting neighboring areas such as Yemen. In early March, Israel halted the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza, coinciding with the end of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. This has led to escalating regional instability.
In response to Israel’s actions, the Houthi group announced that it would resume launching attacks on Israeli ships in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait until the crossings into Gaza are reopened and humanitarian aid is allowed to enter. This has further exacerbated tensions in the region, making the situation even more volatile.
Impact on Yemen’s Civilian Population
Yemen has already been grappling with one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, exacerbated by years of civil war. The attack on the steel plant adds to the growing list of civilian casualties and infrastructure damage caused by the ongoing conflict. With the factory now unable to operate, hundreds of workers face an uncertain future, and the broader economy of Hodeidah, already weakened by war, faces another significant setback.
Moreover, the attack on a civilian facility raises critical questions about the ethics of targeting non-military sites in warfare, particularly when such strikes disproportionately affect the civilian population. The destruction of vital infrastructure such as factories and homes undermines the resilience of communities already struggling with severe shortages of food, medicine, and basic services.
Houthi Response
The Houthi group, which controls significant parts of Yemen, has condemned the U.S. military’s actions, framing them as part of a broader campaign of aggression against civilian infrastructure. Houthi officials have accused the U.S. of deliberately targeting non-military sites, further escalating the tensions in an already volatile region.
In retaliation, the Houthi leadership has threatened to launch additional attacks against Israeli and other foreign vessels in the region. These actions are likely to escalate the conflict in the Red Sea and could lead to broader regional instability.
Tensions in the Red Sea
The Red Sea has long been a critical maritime route for global trade, and its security has major international implications. The ongoing conflict in Yemen, with the involvement of various regional powers, has already made the Red Sea a hotspot for military activity. As the conflict intensifies, the risks to global shipping and regional security grow, particularly with the threat of attacks on commercial vessels and oil tankers.
The region's geopolitical complexity is further heightened by the involvement of global powers, including the United States and Iran, as well as the local influence of groups like the Houthis. The U.S. military’s targeting of Houthi-controlled facilities, including civilian ones, is likely to prompt further retaliation, not just from the Houthis, but potentially from other actors with vested interests in the region.
Key Takeaways:
• U.S. Airstrike on Civilian Steel Plant: On March 19, 2025, the U.S. military targeted a civilian iron and steel factory in Hodeidah, Yemen, causing severe damage.
• Economic Impact: The attack left 250 to 300 workers unemployed and resulted in material losses estimated between $13 million and $14 million USD.
• Controversy Over Targets: The U.S. claimed the strike targeted a military facility, but local officials confirmed it was a civilian plant.
• Wider Conflict: The attack is part of a larger U.S. military operation against Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen.
• Geopolitical Spillover: The attack is linked to rising tensions in the Red Sea, exacerbated by the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Houthi Retaliation Threat: In response, the Houthis have vowed to resume attacks on Israeli ships and other foreign vessels in the region.
• Humanitarian Crisis: Yemen’s civilian population continues to suffer from ongoing warfare, with critical infrastructure being destroyed, worsening the country’s humanitarian crisis.
