Yemen Suspends Red Sea Port Operations After Houthi Attacks; Mysterious Drone Strikes on Fishing Boats

Yemen's strategic Mocha port on the Red Sea has ceased all commercial and maritime operations following a series of missile and drone attacks by Houthi rebels. The port director announced the suspension on Saturday, August 16, 2026, after more than 25 projectiles struck the facility since August 9. These attacks resulted in the deaths of seven people and caused an estimated $16 million in damage.

The Houthi assaults damaged six wooden vessels and a dredger vital for the port's expansion project, which was undergoing a significant $130 million rehabilitation. The attacks also left 1,300 workers without their livelihoods. While the Yemeni government condemned the targeting of civilian, economic, and maritime facilities, the Houthis claimed their strikes aimed at military gatherings, weapons depots, and warships belonging to Saudi-backed forces in the area.