Key facts
- Yemen's Mocha port suspended operations following Houthi missile attacks.
- The attacks killed four civilians and wounded eight, with two sailors missing.
- The port director estimated losses at $16 million due to over 25 missiles hitting the facility.
- Houthi spokesman claimed targets were Saudi warships and mercenaries.
- The Bab el-Mandeb strait, a key shipping route, was threatened with closure.
Yemen's Mocha port has suspended commercial and maritime operations following extensive Houthi missile attacks in recent days, according to the port's director. The attacks, which involved over 25 missiles, resulted in the deaths of four civilians, including a port security guard, and wounded eight others, with two sailors reported missing. The port director estimated the losses from the attacks at $16 million.
The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility for targeting Saudi warships and mercenaries in al-Mokha. He also declared an immediate maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia and threatened to close the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical chokepoint for global trade. Saudi Arabia's military responded by stating it would keep the waterway open and firmly address any threats, deeming them violations of international law.
Mocha is a Red Sea port situated near the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a vital route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and crucial for international shipping. The port is controlled by forces aligned with Yemen's internationally recognized government. The escalation of conflict raises concerns about a return to large-scale fighting in Yemen, which had largely subsided after a UN-brokered truce in 2022.