Red Sea Mocha port in Yemen closed following over 25 Houthi missile attacks

Yemen's strategic Mocha port on the Red Sea has ceased commercial and maritime operations following a barrage of over 25 Houthi missile attacks in recent days. The port director confirmed the suspension, stating that the attacks resulted in seven fatalities and an estimated $16 million in damages.

Mocha, situated near the vital Bab al-Mandab strait, is a key chokepoint for international shipping. Forces aligned with Yemen's internationally recognized government control the port, which has a smaller cargo capacity than Yemen's main ports of Aden and Hodeidah. The Yemeni government reported on Friday that the Houthis launched six ballistic missiles at Mocha that day, targeting civilian facilities and causing at least four civilian deaths.

The Houthis, however, claim their targets were military build-ups, including weapons and warships belonging to Saudi-backed forces. This recent escalation occurs amidst heightened regional tensions, particularly related to the US war on Iran, and has fueled concerns about a potential resurgence of large-scale conflict in Yemen.

While major fighting in Yemen had largely subsided following a UN-brokered truce in 2022, efforts to achieve a lasting political settlement have stalled. The renewed attacks on Mocha underscore the fragility of the current situation and the ongoing risks to maritime security and civilian life in the region.