By Faisal Abu Bakr | 2024-10-10

ADEN -- A decline in wheat imports via the Houthi-controlled port of al-Hodeidah threatens to worsen the already perilous humanitarian situation in Yemen, Yemeni economists warned.

According to a report issued by the United Nations (UN) and the recognized Yemeni government, wheat imports through al-Hodeidah have fallen by around 54% per month.

This can be attributed in part to the Houthis' ongoing attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea and attempted targeting of Tel Aviv, which sparked Israeli retaliation that damaged al-Hodeidah on July 20 and September 29.

"The repeated Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, with Iranian support, have increased the risks for the maritime shipping process," economist Fares al-Najjar told Al-Fassel.

The uncertain security situation has "left importers more cautious and led to significant delays in shipments," he said.

The Houthis' attacks have driven up shipping and insurance costs, "which further complicates the situation and has prompted some importers to reconsider using al-Hodeidah port as a primary destination for the import of wheat," he said.

Al-Najjar attributed the simultaneous increase in wheat imports via Aden port to the government's efforts to improve port services.

These efforts have succeeded in reducing the unloading time of a ship in Aden port to 24 hours, compared to a week or more in al-Hodeidah port, he said.

Meanwhile, the slight increase in wheat imports via Houthi-controlled al-Salif port is "because al-Hodeidah port went out of service after the Israeli strikes," al-Najjar added. "It also is the only remaining destination for the northern regions."

Continuing Houthi adventurism

"The decrease in wheat imports will lead to a catastrophe and exacerbate the humanitarian situation," economist Abdul Aziz Thabet told Al-Fassel.

The humanitarian situation is the worst it has been since 2015, he said.

The Iranian regime's support for the Houthis "aims to achieve Iran's agenda and interests without taking into account the Yemeni people, who can't bear more suffering," Thabet said.

He pointed to "poverty rates that have reached nearly 80%, high unemployment rates, the cessation of most private sector jobs, and the suspension of salaries of government employees in areas controlled by the Houthis."

All of this is the result of "the Houthis' war against the legitimate government, then against commercial ships in the Red Sea, and finally their attacks against Israel," he said.

Wheat imports are declining steadily, he noted, with the UN announcing a 43% decline in February via al-Hodeidah.

This has now reached 54%, he said, "and it is likely to worsen due to the continued Houthi and Iranian adventurism in Yemen, the region and the Red Sea."