Houthi attacks have brought operations at the port of Al-Mahah in Yemen to a halt
The port of Al-Mahah on Yemen’s western coast has suspended operations following a series of Houthi attacks. According to Al Jazeera English, the port’s closure has left more than 1,500 workers unemployed, and traders fear rising costs for importing goods.
On August 9, the Red Sea port came under attack, killing at least seven people and injuring another 30. Port worker Mohammed al-Khomeidi told Al Jazeera that the explosions began around 12:30 p.m., when many workers were on the premises. He said he was able to leave the port about an hour and a half after the shelling began.
On August 11, the Houthis attacked a ship in the port of Al-Mahah, killing three Pakistani crew members and wounding eight other sailors. Three days later, two cargo ships were hit, which, according to Al Jazeera, damaged the rest of the port’s infrastructure. Port Director Abdulmalik al-Sharabi stated that at least six merchant ships have come under attack since the start of this new wave of attacks.
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According to al-Sharabi, the strikes targeted commercial and service areas, workshops, equipment, and the pier. He also reported that 16 port workers were killed in the attacks, and another 22 were injured. Port operations were suspended to prevent further danger to staff; operations at 30 agencies involved in transportation and customs clearance were also halted.
The port, which was inactive from 2015 to 2021, supplied the Taiz Governorate and other economic centers in Yemen, including Lahj, Hodeidah, and Ibb. Importers will now have to route their cargo through the port of Aden, which will increase the cost of overland transportation to Al-Mahah.
Fishermen in Al-Mahah are also staying ashore due to safety concerns. Local authorities have ordered them to refrain from going out to sea until further notice. Beaches, parks, and the coastal promenade in the city have also been closed; Al Jazeera reports that landline and mobile communications have been completely cut off. Merchants note that prices have not yet risen thanks to stockpiles in warehouses, but they may increase if the port remains closed for an extended period.
