Houthi Forces Seize Yemen’s Mocha Port and Bab al-Mandab Strait in One of the Most Dangerous Countries

Houthi forces captured the strategic Yemeni port city of Mocha and the Bab al-Mandab Strait along with Mayyun Island last week in one of the most dangerous countries, prompting a surge in fighting, over 82,000 displacements since early September and more than 2,000 people fleeing by sea to Djibouti. [3][5]

Houthi Offensive Captures Key Red Sea Positions

On 3 September, Houthi forces launched a heavy offensive against Yemen's internationally recognised government in the southern Hodeidah districts of Hays and Al-Khawkha, as well as the western Taiz districts of Jabal Habashi, Maqbana, Mowza’a, and Al-Wazeyaha. [3] These areas form a crucial geographic corridor that connects the mountainous highlands of Taiz to the coastal plain along the Red Sea. [3] Government forces initially repelled the attacks across both governorates, halting the Houthi advance toward Mocha for nearly a week. [3] However, on Wednesday night, Houthi fighters launched a rapid assault from southern Hodeidah and western Taiz, capturing Mocha in a single night. [3] Government units including the National Resistance Forces, the Nation’s Shield Forces, and the Giants Brigades attempted to push back, but were ultimately seen retreating from Mocha toward Bab al-Mandab and Lahj governorate. [3] By the following morning, Houthi forces had advanced to capture the Bab al-Mandab Strait and Mayyun Island as government troops withdrew toward the Ras al-A'ara area in Lahj. [3] Since Friday, the Houthis have targeted government positions past Bab al-Mandab with multiple missile strikes. [3] The fiercest clashes remain centred on the western Taiz fronts, where Houthi troops continue pushing to secure additional areas across the governorate. [3] A fighter who took part in the battles told Middle East Eye that his unit fought the Houthis for a week but they received continuous reinforcements and relentless support from ground and air forces. [3] He emphasised that units were divided into separate groups taking orders from their own commanders, leaving them scattered across the battlefield. [3] The fighter added that when one group pulled back the rest followed suit, leading to the retreat to Mocha and then toward Bab al-Mandab and Ras al-A'ara. [3]

Government Response and Counterattacks

The Yemeni government vowed to send more forces to the Red Sea coast and one official conceded a painful defeat last week when Houthis captured the port city of Mokha and an island on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. [4] The Yemeni Armed Forces announced they will deploy all available ground and air assets to target Houthi movements within an operational zone spanning the Taiz–Mocha road, Jabal al-Nar, and Mocha. [3] On 10 September, official military spokesperson Colonel Majed al-Nuzaili urged civilians to avoid the Taiz–Mocha road until further notice and to stay clear of Houthi military concentrations. [3] Government forces have since launched air strikes against Houthi positions in Mocha and along the western coast to support a push to retake the city, though no territorial ground gains have yet been achieved. [3] Houthi officials accused Saudi Arabia of conducting over 100 air strikes across Yemen within a 48-hour window, though Saudi authorities have not claimed responsibility for the operations. [3] The National Resistance Forces reported significant casualties from the recent offensive, confirming that over 500 of their fighters were killed and more than 1,500 wounded. [3] The conflict in Yemen intensified on Sunday, as government forces launched attacks against Iran-backed Houthi rebels along the Red Sea and Houthis fired into neighboring Saudi Arabia. [4]

Displacement and Humanitarian Impact

According to the International Organization for Migration more than 82,000 were displaced since the beginning of September as fighting continues along the west coast. [3] The IOM says the number of those displaced in Yemen has reached nearly 86,000 people, with over 82,000 since the beginning of September alone. [5] More than 2,000 people fleeing the hostilities have reached Djibouti's northern shores so far, landing at scattered points along the coast near Obock. [3][5] Hussein Haydara, who was displaced from Hodeidah, said this is the second time in his life that he has been displaced. [5] He explained that during the previous displacement they had planned and prepared for it, but this time they were forced to flee suddenly and could barely take their children and the fewest essentials with them. [5] He added that they were terrified of the shelling and sniper fire and just fled as quickly as they could out of fear for their children and family members. [5] Authorities in Djibouti say the country's navy, coast guard and other agencies are conducting rescue operations in the strait and providing emergency assistance. [5] The recent escalation in fighting has ended a 2022 ceasefire that had largely stopped the country’s devastating civil war. [5]

Reasons for Pro-Government Setback

Professor Abdulsattar al-Shamiri, a Yemeni political analyst and CEO of the Johood Center for Studies and Research, attributed the setback to a distinct lack of coordination among military factions, which ultimately led to the defeat of government forces. [3] He told Middle East Eye that there are no explicit disagreements in the literal sense, but there are clear discrepancies in coordination methods. [3] Shamiri noted that the setback in Mocha and the rest of the coastal areas stems from central factors including weak command and control, as the command structure within the Yemeni army units was not functioning as it should. [3] He added that additional factors included a lack of effective air cover, supply shortages, rapid rearmament crises, poor communication, and the absence of central oversight. [3] Dr Mohammed al-Shuaibi, professor of strategic planning at the University of Aden, similarly believes that recapturing coastal areas along the Red Sea remains achievable if forces realign. [3] He told Middle East Eye that the government forces can unify their leadership and militarily recapture Mocha if they form a unified operations room, a single political decision, and subsequently select a unified field command from among those leaders who enjoy acceptance and possess sufficient battleground experience. [3]

Strategic Implications for Maritime Chokepoint in Most Dangerous Countries

By seizing positions along Yemen’s Red Sea coast such as Mocha, Dhubab, Bab al-Mandab, and Mayyun Island, the Houthis have gained significant leverage over one of the world's vital maritime chokepoints connecting the Red Sea. [3] If the Houthis manage to consolidate their presence in Mocha and Bab al-Mandab, they will gain massive strategic leverage against Saudi Arabia, the United States, and international powers. [3] Shamiri expressed confidence that Yemeni forces could eventually reclaim lost areas, though he noted it will not be easy or quick and will require organised effort, high readiness, and more time. [3] He added that the coming phase will likely depend on a strategy of deep attrition, utilising targeted air strikes and surgical ground operations against Houthi strongholds. [3] Dr al-Shuaibi noted that this attrition may force them to withdraw from certain areas, despite Iran having secured a major strategic gain and potentially pushing further support to the Houthis. [3]

What to watch next: The Yemeni government has announced plans to target Houthi positions while government forces continue air strikes in support of efforts to retake the city, though no territorial ground gains have been achieved so far.