The port handles up to 80% of the humanitarian supplies, fuel and commercial goods in northern Yemen.

[3] The port is situated in the middle of Yemen's west coast on the Red Sea at 14.8411N, 42.9301E.

Since then Saudi-led Coalition and the internationally recognized government of Yemen have repeatedly accused the Houthis of using the port to receive arms from Iran.

[6] In June 2018 the Saudi-led coalition launched an offensive led by the UAE to retake the port from the Houthis.

[3] On 20 July 2024, the port was damaged following Israeli air strikes which targeted a power generating station, an oil refinery, and fuel storage facilities.