Houthi strikes halt operation of Yemen's Mocha Port, kill seven

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Houthi strikes halt operation of Yemen's Mocha Port, kill seven

2026-08-16 15:54 Last Updated At：16:07

Repeated Houthi missile and drone attacks have halted commercial and maritime activity at Yemen's Mocha Port near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, killing seven people and causing about 16 million U.S. dollars worth of direct losses, government and port officials said on Saturday.

The port, in southwestern Yemen's Taiz province, is a key entry point for commercial goods and supplies bound for government-held areas.

Abdulmalik al-Sharabi, director of the government-held port, said the attacks over the past week killed four members of the port's security forces and three port employees, while causing extensive damage to facilities and equipment.

"Some of the port's berths were damaged, along with warehouses and the port's own maintenance workshops. Every economic facility in the port complex was targeted in the attack," al-Sharabi said.

He said six wooden vessels and a dredger involved in the port's expansion operation were also damaged. The suspension of shipping and commercial activity has left about 1,300 workers without an income.

"The attack on Mocha Port caused enormous losses for merchants. There were also casualties among port personnel and workers, including dockworkers, and commercial vessels moored at the port with cargo being loaded also sustained damage," said Mohammed al-Ghanami, head of the Mocha Merchants' Union.

Yemen's pro-government National Resistance Forces said the Houthis launched 40 ballistic missiles and 46 drones, and used explosive-laden boats in the attacks against Mocha, its port and other sites in the area between Aug 9 and Aug 14.

The Houthis have said their operations in the Mocha area targeted military buildups and weapons depots of what they called Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces. Government authorities refuted that account, describing the port as a civilian commercial facility.

The escalation has raised concern that Yemen could slide back into full-scale fighting. A U.N.-brokered truce expired in October 2022, but a fragile de facto ceasefire had largely held until the recent attacks.

Afghan Taliban celebrates 5th anniversary of its return to power

The Afghan Taliban celebrated on Saturday the fifth anniversary of its return to power after defeating the U.S.-led coalition forces in the country amid tight security.

Calling the day "Victory Day," groups of security personnel holding white flags in their hands drove vehicles on Kabul streets while chanting slogans. In addition to holding a large gathering attended by officials to highlight the significance of the day, the government also dispatched helicopters to drop flowers on citizens in parts of Kabul city.

Kabul residents said the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan had led to social unrest, and years of war have dragged Afghanistan into deep misery.

"This is not just my view, it is a view of all Afghans. The United States dragged Afghanistan into a crisis. They came here claiming they would develop Afghanistan, but they did not develop it. On the contrary, they inflicted enormous destruction on our country," said Bilal Ahmad, a resident.

"The United States committed countless horrifying atrocities, too many brutal acts to list. To give you just my own case, U.S. forces killed nine of my family members," said Shafiullah, another resident.

The Afghan Taliban took over power again on Aug 15, 2021, following years of war against the U.S.-led coalition forces. The last American soldier left the country at the end of August 2021.

The day is a public holiday, and no security incidents have been reported so far. Meanwhile, various cultural events, including sports competitions, have been organized in Kabul and other cities.