One of the most prominent ports overlooking The Red SeaIt is the main artery for the entry of aid and goods into the country. It was established in 1961, and is distinguished by its proximity to international shipping lines. It has great economic value for the country, and this has made it a point of conflict in many of the wars that Yemen has witnessed.
Location and origin
The port of Hodeidah was established in 1961 in the middle of the western coast of Yemen – overlooking the Red Sea – in cooperation with soviet union The former, which started with 3 docks totaling 410 metres in length and 8 metres deep, was an open road where ships had to unload their cargo onto small sailing vessels.
After the Yemeni revolution in 1962, the port received the attention of the political leadership, which worked to develop and expand it. By 2014, it had 8 docks and 12 warehouses for storing and preserving goods that could not withstand the heat of the sun and humidity. It is the second major port in Yemen.
Its internal land area is about 7.5 million square meters, while its water area is about 307 million, 455 thousand, and 726 square meters.
The port is located in Al Hudaydah Governorate, which is one of the most important Yemeni governorates, as it contains 3 vital ports.
The port’s location is not exposed to seasonal winds, and it is close to international shipping lines. It is also naturally protected from waves and water currents.
Importance
Hodeidah Port is the largest port in Yemen on the Red Sea. It occupies an important position in the governorate and its surroundings, and represents a very large economic value for the country, as it receives various imports, passenger ships, and tourists.
The port’s value increased after the Soviet Union developed it, as it became able to accommodate ships with a capacity of up to 31 thousand tons, compared to the old port, which accommodated approximately 100 to 150 tons of cargo per day, no more.
It is located west of Hodeidah city -which houses the port- global shipping lines used to transport goods between Europe, Asia and Africa via Suez CanalTo the north of Hodeidah port is Ras Issa oil station, which receives oil from Ma’rib Governorate and exports 125,000 barrels per day.
The port’s strategic importance is increased by the fact that it is not exposed to seasonal winds, in addition to being naturally protected from waves and sea currents. It is the first passage to all the important Yemeni islands, including the Greater and Lesser Hanish Islands and Jabal Saqr, which rises more than 3,700 feet above sea level.
Conflicts
The importance of the port of Hodeidah emerged since the beginning of the war in Yemen in 2015, as it was the main crossing for humanitarian aid, and the city of Hodeidah was one of the first cities to be controlled. Houthi group After taking control of the capital Sana’a In September 2014.
In March 2015, the Houthis announced that they had reached an agreement with Iran It required the expansion of the port, and the conflict over it continued after that due to its strategic importance.
The conflict over the port intensified in 2018 and beyond, with a spokesman warning at the time that UN Security Council The follower To the United Nations From the worsening humanitarian situation.
Charities have also warned of the expansion of the conflict in Hodeidah, especially since about 80% of the humanitarian aid, fuel and necessities that 28 million Yemenis depend on passed through the city’s port in 2017 and 2018.
Israeli attack
On July 20, 2024, Israeli warplanes launched a series of raids on the port of Hodeidah, a day after the Houthi group’s first drone attack on Tel Aviv.
The attack targeted civilian facilities, including oil tanks at the port, and resulted in severe fires. It also targeted a power station, which doubled the suffering of the civilian population.
The Israeli army said the bombing was in response to attacks carried out against Israel in previous months.
Al-Masirah TV, affiliated with the Houthis, announced that there were deaths and injuries as a result of these raids.
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