Al-Makha Port suffers $79 million in damage from Houthi attacks

Houthi attacks on Al-Makha Port in Yemen's Taiz Governorate have caused significant casualties and infrastructure damage. According to Abdulmalik al-Sharaabi, the port director, the recent escalation involving ballistic missiles, drones, and explosive boats has resulted in 10 deaths and 22 injuries.

Financial losses are estimated to have exceeded $79 million, a sharp increase from previous estimates of $16 million. The damage includes the destruction of six commercial vessels, damage to the pier, and hits to port facilities, warehouses, and maintenance workshops. The attacks also targeted a marine drill used for deepening the navigation channel.

The escalation began in early August with an attack on an Indian civilian ship and has since intensified. In response to Houthi ballistic missile launches targeting the port and the Red Sea, the National Resistance Forces reported retaliating with artillery and rocket fire against Houthi positions. The port, located near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, is a critical piece of infrastructure that has seen a significant breakdown in the relative calm maintained since the 2022 truce.