Houthis renew missile and drone attacks on Yemen’s port of al-Makha

SaveSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkSmoke rises during Houthi missile and drone strikes on the Red Sea port city of al-Makha (Mocha), Yemen, August 9, 2026 [Reuters]By Al Jazeera Staff, AFP, Reuters and The Associated PressPublished On 10 Aug 202610 Aug 2026Yemen’s Houthis have launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks on the Red Sea port city of al-Makha (Mocha), extending an assault on government-held areas along Yemen’s western coast and killing at least 11 people.The latest attacks came on Sunday evening, less than 24 hours after an earlier barrage struck al-Makha and its commercial port. Yemeni government forces said air defences intercepted six drones during the renewed assault, while two ballistic missiles fell into the sea without hitting their targets.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Houthis launch deadly attacks on Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemenlist 2 of 4Houthi strikes in Yemen as Saudi Arabia braces for attacks: What we knowlist 3 of 4Houthi attacks on gov’t forces hint that a major battle in Yemen is brewinglist 4 of 4Where does Iran stand on Saudi-Pakistan-Turkiye pact?end of listFootage broadcast by the Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV showed several ballistic missiles and drones being launched. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the operation targeted Saudi troop concentrations and weapon depots in the area, according to the Reuters news agency.At least 11 killedEarlier on Sunday, Attacks on al-Makha killed at least 11 people, including eight military personnel and three civilians, and wounded 32 others, according to the latest toll cited by the AFP news agency.The strikes also caused extensive damage at al-Makha’s port. Government authorities said buildings and commercial facilities were hit, while The Associated Press reported damage to port infrastructure, commercial goods and food supplies.Government forces also said they intercepted and destroyed an unmanned explosive boat approaching the commercial port.During the renewed attacks later on Sunday, the National Resistance Forces, which are aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognised government, urged residents of al-Makha to remain indoors, accusing the Houthis of carrying out indiscriminate shelling.Smoke rises during Houthi missile and drone strikes on the Red Sea port city of al-Makha (Mocha), Yemen, August 9, 2026 [Reuters]Houthis say Saudi military buildup prompted attackThe Houthis said the operation involved a large number of ballistic missiles and drones and was launched in response to an alleged continued Saudi military buildup, including the reinforcement of allied forces with weapons and equipment along Yemen’s western coast and in Taiz province.Houthi political council member Hizam al-Assad separately claimed that continuing explosions, fires and columns of smoke from the port were caused by large quantities of weapons and military equipment stored there.Attacks extend to al-KhokhaThe escalation was not limited to al-Makha, but also targeted the al-Khokha district, south of the coastal city of Hodeidah.Al-Jumhuriya television, which is affiliated with the National Resistance Forces led by Presidential Leadership Council member Tareq Saleh, said the government-appointed governor of Hodeidah, al-Hassan Taher, survived an assassination attempt on Sunday after a Houthi ballistic missile struck his residence in the district.