Houthis resume missile and drone strikes on Yemen's al-Makha port

Iran‑backed Houthi forces have renewed their assault on the Yemeni port of al‑Makha, a strategic hub on the Red Sea that handles a significant share of the country’s coffee and fish exports. The latest strikes, reported by regional maritime authorities, targeted commercial vessels anchored near the harbor and marked the first major offensive in the area since a brief lull earlier this year.

The attacks come amid heightened tensions in the Red Sea corridor, where Houthi militants have increasingly threatened international shipping in response to the Israel‑Hamas conflict and ongoing Saudi‑UAE coalition operations in Yemen. Naval patrols coordinated by the United States and allied forces have intensified surveillance around al‑Makha, issuing warnings to vessels to avoid the vicinity. Preliminary assessments indicate that the strikes caused minor damage to infrastructure but disrupted cargo movements, prompting concerns over supply chain impacts for regional markets.

Officials from Yemen’s transport ministry confirmed that port operations would remain suspended pending security evaluations, while diplomatic channels urged the Houthis to cease hostilities to safeguard commercial navigation. The renewed hostilities underscore the broader volatility affecting Red Sea trade routes and highlight the challenges of maintaining maritime safety in a contested maritime theater.