Why Mokha, Historic Port That Shaped the Coffee Trade, Is a Prize in Yemen’s War

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-12T10:11:12.169Z • Permanent link

Mokha, the historic port city on the Red Sea, has been a prized target in Yemen's ongoing civil war. The city's strategic location has allowed it to dominate the coffee trade for centuries, with its unique climate and soil making it an ideal place for coffee production. In 2014, the port was seized by Houthi rebels, who have since controlled it. The port's capture has disrupted global coffee supplies, causing prices to rise and affecting companies that rely on it for exports.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, which have been leading the military campaign against the Houthi rebels, have been trying to retake the port. In 2022, the UAE announced plans to invest $2 billion in the port's reconstruction, with the aim of restoring its trading dominance. However, the project has been hindered by the ongoing conflict and the presence of rebels. In March 2023, the Saudi-led coalition launched a major operation to retake the port, but the rebels have so far held out.

The port's significance extends beyond the coffee trade. Mokha is a major hub for international trade, with goods from around the world passing through its ports. The city's control has significant implications for the global economy, particularly for countries that rely on the port for trade. The port's capture has also had a major impact on Yemen's economy, exacerbating poverty and humanitarian crises.

The conflict over Mokha has significant implications for companies that rely on the port for trade. Companies such as Nestle, which imports coffee from Mokha, have been affected by the disruption to supplies. The port's capture has also disrupted the global coffee market, causing prices to rise and affecting coffee producers in countries such as Ethiopia and Brazil. Research communities and policymakers are also taking notice, with many calling for greater attention to the impact of conflict on global trade.

The conflict over Mokha also has implications for the global economy more broadly. The port's control has significant implications for countries that rely on the port for trade, particularly those in the Middle East and Africa. The port's disruption has also highlighted the need for greater investment in global infrastructure, particularly in regions that are vulnerable to conflict. Companies such as Saudi Aramco and ADNOC have been investing heavily in infrastructure projects in the region, but more needs to be done to address the underlying issues that drive conflict.

The conflict over Mokha is part of a larger pattern of conflict and instability in the Middle East. The region has been plagued by conflict for decades, with countries such as Syria, Libya, and Yemen all experiencing major humanitarian crises. The conflict in Yemen has also highlighted the need for greater international cooperation to address the root causes of conflict, particularly poverty and inequality. Historically, the region has been a major hub for international trade, with cities such as Mokha and Aden playing a key role in the global economy.