Yemen: $20 million in losses at Hodeidah port

Sanaa - Ma'an - The material damage caused by the Israeli attack on the port of Hodeidah in western Yemen amounted to about $20 million, excluding oil losses, according to an official at the strategic seaport. Israel launched an attack on the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah on July 20, the day after the Houthis claimed responsibility for a drone attack that killed one person in Tel Aviv. This was the first time Tel Aviv had claimed responsibility for an attack on Yemen. The raids on the port, which is a major gateway for fuel imports and humanitarian aid to Houthi-controlled areas, killed nine people, according to Houthi-affiliated media. It also caused a huge fire that lasted for days in the port, destroying some cranes and dozens of oil tanks. The vice chairman of the board of directors of the Houthi-affiliated Red Sea Ports Corporation, which is responsible for the port, Nasr al-Nusairi, said that the losses 'exceed twenty million dollars for the port, while the assessment of the oil facilities is l eft to the Ministry of Oil.' He added, "There is material damage to the port and oil facilities, including the destruction of two bridge cranes, a marine vessel, and a number of facilities and buildings belonging to the institution in the port." The port appeared to be operational, with container ships on its docks and workers moving containers from one side to the other using cranes, one of which appeared damaged by the shelling. Al-Nusairi also pointed to damage to the docks, which led to 'the suspension of port activities for a specific period.' But last Tuesday night, two container ships docked at the port of Hodeidah for the first time since the raids, according to Houthi-affiliated media. Source: Maan News Agency