The Houthis’ War on Commerce: Al-Makha Port Shutters Under Fire

Global trade disruptions in the Red Sea often capture headlines for their impact on Western consumer prices, yet the immediate economic destruction occurs much closer to the source. Following the collapse of a truce last month, Houthi forces have systematically dismantled the operational capacity of Yemen’s al-Makha port through a relentless barrage of drone and missile strikes. The facility, which served as a vital commercial artery for the Taiz governorate and surrounding economic hubs, officially suspended operations last Friday to preserve the lives of its workforce.

The escalation has been swift and brutal. On August 9, explosions ripped through the bustling seaport at midday, initiating a wave of violence that would eventually claim sixteen lives and leave twenty-two injured. By August 11, a vessel docked at the port was struck, resulting in the deaths of three Pakistani crew members and injuries to eight others. Three days later, two additional cargo ships were targeted, effectively neutralizing the port's remaining infrastructure.

Abdulmalik Al-Sharabi, the director of the al-Makha port, confirmed the extent of the devastation, noting that the attacks targeted commercial and service areas, workshops, equipment, and the port pier, destroying it to the point that it ceased operations. With the pier in ruins and at least six merchant vessels struck in recent weeks, operations across thirty shipping and customs clearance agencies have abruptly ground to a halt.

For a region already battered by conflict, the economic regression is profound. Al-Makha had only reopened in 2021 after a six-year closure, briefly restoring commercial normalcy to western Yemen. Now, the local economy is rapidly unravelling. Approximately 1,500 port workers have lost their daily wages overnight. The secondary industries are faring no better. Local fishermen, ordered by authorities to avoid the perilous waters, are entirely without income. A few who defied the warning out of financial desperation are currently missing.

The broader commercial implications are equally severe. Goods destined for al-Makha are now stalled in Djibouti or forcibly rerouted to the port of Aden. This detour requires expensive overland transport back to western hubs like Lahj, Hodeidah, and Ibb. Traders are preparing to pass these surging transport costs directly onto a population that can scarcely afford basic necessities.

Civilian life in the coastal city has effectively shut down. Public spaces and beaches are deserted due to the persistent threat of airborne attacks, while a strict motorcycle curfew is enforced overnight. Compounding the isolation is a complete blackout of traditional mobile communications, leaving only expensive satellite internet for those who can afford it. The destruction of al-Makha port demonstrates how militant posturing systematically dismantles the fragile foundations of local commerce, leaving a trail of unemployment and inflation.

Written by Thorben Thiede thorben.thiede@alpineweekly.com