Yemeni government denounces severe damage to Mocha port from Houthi attacks

Yemen's internationally recognized government has denounced significant damage inflicted upon the port of Mocha by Houthi missile and drone attacks on Sunday. Yemen's Minister of Transport, Mohsen al Amiri, reported that the strategic Red Sea port, controlled by the government, was targeted by at least 25 projectiles launched by the Iran-backed rebels.

Al Amiri stated that the attack specifically aimed at civilian and economic sites within the port. Among the damaged facilities were recently rehabilitated infrastructures, economic zones, staff accommodations, and fuel storage tanks. The minister accused the Houthi movement of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure rather than military installations.

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The attack targeted civilian and economic sites within the port.

He further alleged that the rebels aim to disrupt economic activity and worsen Yemen's already dire humanitarian crisis, which has persisted since 2014. The ministry is currently assessing the full extent of the damage and working to maintain port services and maritime activity as much as possible. Al Amiri urged the international community to take action against attacks on civilian and economic facilities.

The Yemeni government reported that the attacks on Mocha port and the city resulted in at least 14 deaths, including ten civilians, and approximately fifty injuries. Mocha, a historic port city in the Taiz province, is strategically located near the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a crucial maritime passage connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, claimed responsibility, stating their forces conducted a "large-scale, high-precision military operation against concentrations of Saudi troops and weapons depots in the Mocha area."

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Our units carried out a large-scale, high-precision military operation against concentrations of Saudi troops and weapons depots in the area of Mocha.