Coalition targets two weapons ships in Mukalla port: Details of the operation
Informed sources reported that the Arab Coalition forces supporting the legitimate government in Yemen carried out a limited and precise airstrike targeting two arms shipments immediately after they entered the port of Mukalla, located in Hadramawt Governorate in eastern Yemen. This operation comes as part of the coalition's ongoing efforts to monitor Yemeni coastlines and prevent the flow of smuggled weapons that could be used to prolong the conflict or threaten regional security.
Operation details and targeting accuracy
Reports indicated that the strike was highly focused, neutralizing the threat posed by the suspected arms shipments without causing widespread damage to the vital port's infrastructure. The description of the strike as "limited" reflects the coalition's strategy of using surgical force to avoid collateral damage to civilian trade or harm to civilians in the area, while strictly targeting military and suspected targets that violate international arms embargoes.
General context: Arms embargo and UN resolutions
This operation falls within the framework of implementing UN Security Council resolutions, specifically Resolution 2216, which imposes an arms embargo on illegitimate armed groups in Yemen. For years, the Arab Coalition forces, led by Saudi Arabia, have been working to secure Yemen's sea and air access points to prevent their exploitation for smuggling sophisticated weapons, such as ballistic missiles and drones, which have posed a continuous threat to neighboring countries and international navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The strategic importance of the port of Mukalla
The port of Mukalla is a vital artery for Hadramawt Governorate and the eastern regions of Yemen. Historically, Mukalla has faced significant security challenges, most notably its brief control by al-Qaeda in 2015 before the Hadrami Elite Forces, supported by the Arab Coalition, liberated it in a major military operation in 2016. Since then, the Coalition has prioritized securing this seaport to ensure the continued flow of humanitarian aid and commercial goods, while maintaining high security vigilance to prevent the return of terrorist organizations or the exploitation of the port by militias for arms smuggling.
Regional and international impact
This strike carries multiple messages. Domestically, it underscores the continued strict control over Yemeni ports. Regionally and internationally, thwarting arms smuggling attempts contributes to strengthening energy security and global trade passing through the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. The continued flow of weapons into Yemen not only threatens internal stability but also poses a direct danger to international shipping lanes, making such preemptive operations an urgent necessity for maintaining international peace and security in this sensitive region of the world.
