The US Embassy in Yemen has contested assertions by the Houthis regarding a comprehensive Saudi-led embargo affecting the country. In a statement released through official channels, an embassy spokesperson presented operational data to demonstrate that commercial shipping continues to function at ports under Houthi administration.
According to figures presented by the US mission, 272 commercial vessels successfully unloaded cargo at three key ports under Houthi control during the first nine months of 2026. This data aligns with independent monitoring by the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen, which facilitates commercial shipping to the region and recorded identical vessel counts during the same period. Monthly traffic patterns showed peaks in January and March, each with 34 vessels, while slower months such as July still saw 25 successful port calls.
The cargo transported to these ports consisted primarily of food supplies, which comprised the majority of deliveries throughout the year. March represented the highest volume period with more than 737,000 tonnes of food discharged, while January recorded nearly 630,000 tonnes. Later months including August and September maintained substantial food deliveries exceeding 490,000 tonnes each. Beyond bulk shipments, containerised cargo and fuel also reached the ports, though in fluctuating quantities across different months.
While presenting this data to counter Houthi blockade claims, the US Embassy shifted focus to the humanitarian situation in other parts of Yemen. Officials highlighted the conditions in Taiz, a city under government control that is completely surrounded by Houthi forces. The embassy characterised the restrictions on food and fuel reaching Taiz as a genuine siege imposed by the Houthis, accusing the armed group of preventing essential supplies from reaching hospitals and water facilities in the area. This framing relocated responsibility for supply shortages from the Saudi-led coalition to Houthi forces operating in the region.
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