Yemen's al-Makha Port Shuts Down, Workers and Traders Fear for Their Futures

Taiz, Yemen – Mohammed Al-Homaidi, a laborer in his 30s, had worked at the port of al-Makha (Mocha) in western Yemen since it reopened in 2021. Though paid daily, his job provided his family a stable life.

But everything changed on August 9, when the Red Sea port was struck by Houthi attacks, killing at least seven people. As conflict between Yemen's government and the Houthi forces escalates following last month's collapse of a long ceasefire, finding daily work is no longer his priority — his safety is.

“At about 12:30 p.m., I heard explosions at the port, which was full of workers. I didn't understand what was happening, and we couldn't run away because of the successive blasts,” Al-Homaidi told Al Jazeera. “After about an hour and a half, I ran out of the port and didn't stop until I got home.”

Thirty others were wounded in the series of drone and missile attacks by the Houthis targeting the port and nearby areas. The group continues to strike the port almost daily, causing dozens of deaths and injuries.

On August 11, the Houthis attacked a vessel at al-Makha port, killing three Pakistani sailors and wounding eight others. Three days later, they targeted two cargo ships at the port, destroying its remaining infrastructure. Due to repeated attacks, port operations have been suspended since last Friday to avoid endangering the lives of 1,500 workers.

For Al-Homaidi and workers whose income depends on daily labor, the port's closure spells a new struggle to put food on the table. “I'm glad we're safe at home today, but now we're unemployed because we live on daily wages. I have no savings, and food at home is running out. How can I provide the basic needs for my family?” he said.

Life Beyond the Port

Al-Homaidi also worked in fishing, al-Makha's other major economic sector. But the dangerous attacks around the Red Sea have made that path impossible for him and his colleagues. Local authorities ordered fishermen not to go to sea until further notice, but with money running out, a group of fishermen went out on August 11, and their families are still desperately searching for them after they failed to return.

With near-daily attacks, public beaches, parks, coastal promenades, and other areas have also been closed. Families avoid going out due to the threat of Houthi drones and missiles, and there is a strict curfew on motorcycles from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. The community also suffers from a complete loss of landline and mobile phone communication. Those who can afford it use Starlink satellite internet, but for most residents of al-Makha, there is no way to contact the outside world.

Back to Square One

Abdulmalik Al-Sharabi, director of al-Makha port, confirmed to Al Jazeera that the repeated Houthi attacks forced the port to halt operations. At least six commercial cargo ships have been attacked in the recent wave of violence, causing casualties among civilians and sailors.

“More than 1,500 port workers lost their jobs, while 16 people were killed and 22 wounded in the Houthi attacks,” Al-Sharabi said. The missile attacks targeted civilian infrastructure at the port and nearby areas. “The attacks targeted the commercial and service areas, repair workshops, equipment, and quays, destroying them to the point that the port stopped functioning.”

The operations of 30 shipping and clearance agents have ground to a halt, affecting workers. The port, closed from 2015 to 2021, was the economic lifeline of Taiz province as well as other Yemeni economic hubs like Lahj, Hodeidah, and Ibb. With the port closed, traders will have to reroute imports through Aden port, driving up logistics costs. “We were glad to have such a capable seaport, but today we are back to square one,” Al-Sharabi said.

No Money, No Food

Abdulraoof Abdullah, a fisherman in his 50s from al-Makha, has no other income than fishing in the Red Sea to support his eight family members. Due to instability off the coast, he hasn't gone to sea since August 11.

“We are unemployed, and our homes are almost empty of food. We try to get a meal every day by borrowing money or asking friends for help,” he said. With the port closed and food imports reduced, Abdullah expects prices to rise in the market, and he has no choice but to “pray to Allah.” “We have no money to buy food for today, so how can we have money to stock up on food?” he lamented. “Most Makha residents are fishermen, and we are now unemployed. When there is work, we can buy food; if not, we will have to relocate elsewhere to find jobs to support our families.”

Traders' Worries

Rashad, a local trader in al-Makha (who asked to remain anonymous), has been importing goods through shipping agents at the port since 2021. Since his warehouse is a few kilometers from the port, it was the cheapest option.

“Our goods are currently stuck in Djibouti, and shipping costs have skyrocketed due to the Red Sea tensions. Moreover, we've just been told that goods will be diverted to Aden, meaning we'll have to pay significantly more for land transportation from Aden back to al-Makha.”

With warehouses still having food from previous orders, prices have yet to rise. But if the port remains closed, traders will be forced to increase prices on future consignments via Aden. “I'm a resident of al-Makha before being a trader. Any price increase directly affects my family and neighbors — something I really want to avoid. But unless al-Makha port reopens soon, price rises are inevitable,” he added.

Although he had no goods on the ships recently attacked, Rashad said he sympathizes with traders who suffered financial losses. “Some think traders are always well-off, but we are always in a state of anxiety. We track our shipments for months until they safely reach our warehouses. No one can imagine the devastation experienced by traders who lost everything at al-Makha port. The harsh reality of this war has affected every Yemeni, and we are no exception,” he said.