Hodeidah Port Attack: Strategic and Humanitarian Implications
- vidyarthee2021
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
Israel has launched its first naval strike on Yemen’s Hodeidah Port, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions amid the ongoing Red Sea conflict involving Houthi rebels and maritime routes.
About Hodeidah Port
Location: Situated on the western coast of Yemen along the Red Sea.
Strategic Value: Acts as Yemen’s principal gateway to the outside world.
Humanitarian Lifeline:
Handles ~70% of Yemen’s imports
Over 80% of international aid, including food and medical supplies, enters via Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Issa ports
Conflict Zone: Control over Hodeidah has been a major flashpoint in the Yemeni civil war, especially between the Saudi-led coalition and Houthi rebels.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper 2: International relations, global conflicts, humanitarian law
GS Paper 3: Security, maritime trade vulnerabilities
Map-Based Question (Prelims): Important global ports and choke points in Red Sea and West Asia
Essay Paper: Global conflict zones and their humanitarian impact
Prelims Practice Question:
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Hodeidah Port in Yemen:
It lies on the eastern coast of Yemen facing the Arabian Sea.
Over 80% of humanitarian aid to Yemen passes through Hodeidah and nearby ports.
It is a vital point in the Red Sea trade route.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: B. 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Hodeidah is on western Yemen, not eastern.
Statements 2 and 3 are correct: Hodeidah handles a majority of Yemen's aid and is crucial for Red Sea maritime routes.
Mains Practice Question (GS Paper 2)
Discuss the strategic importance of the Hodeidah Port in the Yemen conflict. How do such maritime choke points impact regional security and global humanitarian operations?
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