On September 28, Houthi fighters attacked several positions of the Saudi-led coalition and its Yemeni proxies, including an air defense base, south of the al-Hudaydah airport on the western Yemeni coast, according to the al-Masirah TV.
Prior to the attack, the Houthis launched several Zilzal-1 short-range rockets at fortifications and vehicles inside the air defense base. According to experts, the Zilzal is in fact a Soviet-made S-24 air-to-ground rocket, which had been modified by the Houthis.
The Houthis also attacked Saudi-led coalition positions south of the area of “Kilo 16,” which is located between the city of al-Hudaydah and the district center of al-Durayhimi. During the attack, Houthi fighters used IEDs and rocket-propelled grenades against coalition troops and equipment.
According to the Houthis’ media wing, four vehicles of the Saudi-led coalition were destroyed and several Saudi-backed Yemeni fighters were killed as a result of the attacks south of the al-Hudaydah airport and the Kilo-16.
These attacks are likely an attempt by the Houthis to distract the Saudi-led coalition from its preparations to launch another large-scale offensive on al-Hudaydah.
Everyone is expecting that, which is why they may attack at the opposite front where resistance will be minimal and capture several towns with little fighting.