The recent attacks show that Yemeni ports controlled by Saudi Arabia are now under a de facto blockade. On October 25, several Houthi (Ansar Allah) drones were reportedly spotted flying near the port of Mukalla in Hadramaut province in eastern Yemen.
Saudi-backed forces, which control the key port, have opened fire on the drones. However, none were shot down. The drones attempted to attack the port. However, no explosions were reported during the clash.
The attempted attack forced Saudi-backed forces to close the port of Mukalla. However, work at the port resumed a day later.
The engagement came just four days after two Houthi suicide drones attacked the Al-Daba oil terminal in Hadramaut. The Houthis said the attack was just a “limited warning” to prevent the “theft” of Yemeni crude oil. This was likely not the first such “warning” from the group. On October 19, two suicide drones attacked the port of Al-Nasima in the central province of Shabwa.
The recent attacks show that Yemeni ports controlled by Saudi Arabia are now under a de facto blockade. After the attack on the Al Daba oil terminal, the Houthis made their demands clear. The group wants its share of Yemen’s oil and gas revenues to pay the salaries of civil servants and improve public services in its areas of influence.
Yemen’s Saudi-backed government rejected the same Houthi demand in the past, leading to the collapse of the UN-backed Yemeni ceasefire on October 2.
The Houthis will likely continue to escalate until the Yemeni government and its backers, mainly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, comply with its demand.
