Houthis Target Mokha to Halt Port’s Growing Role

Yemen's strategic Mokha port has been crippled by a week-long barrage of ballistic missiles and drones, halting all operations and causing significant damage to infrastructure and docked vessels. The Iran-backed Houthis claim they are targeting military-linked sites, but government and informed sources suggest broader aims are at play.

The scale and pattern of the attacks indicate a deliberate effort to disrupt Mokha's expanding role as a Red Sea commercial hub. Development work was nearing completion to allow the port to receive container ships and boost import-export activity. The bombardment has stopped ships carrying essential cargo from arriving, impacting trade at a critical time.

Informed sources suggest the Houthis fear Mokha could become a commercial rival to their own Hodeidah port. They also reportedly fear a surprise government offensive along the western coast, leading to attacks on positions held by elite Yemeni army units. The Houthis' calculations appear to extend beyond trade, viewing Mokha as a potential launch point for military operations against Houthi-controlled areas in Hodeidah province.

The damage is extensive, with three commercial vessels destroyed in the initial days. Workers were evacuated, cranes were put out of service, and unloading operations ceased. The attacks have also hit civilian facilities, underscoring the breadth of the offensive.