The closure of Yemen’s al-Makha (Mocha) port following repeated Houthi attacks has left thousands of workers, fishermen and traders without income, while businesses face rising transportation costs.
The Red Sea port was attacked on August 9, killing at least seven people and injuring about 30 others. Further Houthi attacks followed, including strikes on a vessel on August 11 that killed three Pakistani crew members and injured eight others.
On August 14, two cargo ships were attacked, damaging the port’s remaining infrastructure. Authorities subsequently suspended operations to protect the approximately 1,500 workers employed at the facility.
Mohammed Al-Homaidi, a port labourer, said the closure had left him without a source of income. He explained that he depended on daily wages to provide food and other basic needs for his family.
The attacks have also severely affected fishermen. Local authorities have ordered fishermen to remain ashore because of the security risks in the Red Sea. Some fishermen who ventured out on August 11 failed to return, leaving their families searching for them.
Public beaches, parks and the coastal walkway in al-Makha have also been closed because of the continuing threat of missile and drone attacks. A nightly motorcycle curfew is in place from 11pm to 6am, while communications have also been disrupted.
Abdulmalik Al-Sharabi, director of al-Makha port, said repeated attacks had destroyed important parts of the facility and forced it to stop operating.
According to Al-Sharabi, more than 1,500 port workers have lost their jobs, while 16 people were killed and 22 injured in the attacks. He said commercial and service areas, workshops, equipment and the port pier were among the infrastructure damaged.
The shutdown has also affected about 30 shipping and customs-clearance agencies operating around the port.
Al-Makha port is an important economic lifeline for Taiz governorate and also serves areas including Lahj, Hodeidah and Ibb. With the port closed, traders are being forced to route imports through Aden, significantly increasing transportation and logistics costs.
Local trader Rashad said some of his goods were already being held in Djibouti and that shipments previously destined for al-Makha would now be redirected to Aden.
He warned that if the closure continues, traders will eventually have to raise prices because of the additional cost of transporting goods from Aden to al-Makha.
Fisherman Abdulraoof Abdullah, who supports a family of eight, said he had been unable to work since August 11. He said many residents were struggling to afford food and were increasingly relying on loans and assistance from friends.
Residents and traders fear that a prolonged closure could worsen food shortages, increase prices and force families to leave the area in search of employment.
The port had previously been closed between 2015 and 2021 before reopening and becoming an important source of employment and trade for the region. With operations now suspended again, residents fear they have been pushed “back to square one.”
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