Yemen, One of the Most Dangerous Countries: Houthis Seize Red Sea Port of Mokha From Government Forces

Iran-backed Houthi rebels have seized the strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha from Saudi-backed pro-government forces in Yemen, one of the most dangerous countries, moving them closer to controlling the Bab al-Mandab strait and threatening global shipping routes. [1] [2]

Houthi Forces Capture Mokha

Iran-backed Houthi rebels have seized the strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha from Saudi-backed pro-government forces, military sources say. [1] The capture of Mokha would bring the Iran-backed group closer to controlling the Bab al-Mandab strait, a key shipping route about 75km to the south that links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. [1] The Iran-backed Houthi rebel group on Thursday took over Yemen's port city of Mokha, an area vital to controlling shipping through the Red Sea, Houthi and Yemeni officials say. [2] The Iran-backed Houthi militants have taken control of the Yemeni Red Sea city of Mocha, closing in on the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, three Yemeni government sources told Reuters on Thursday. [3] Yemen's Houthi rebels have captured the port city of Mokha on the country's western coast, eyewitnesses and military sources said on Thursday as fighting between government troops and the militia intensifies in strategically important areas on the Red Sea. [4] Iran-aligned Houthi militants seized control of Yemen's port city of Mocha on Thursday, military sources said, posing a further threat to global energy supplies. [5] Four Yemeni government military sources said the Houthis had gained further leverage over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the southern outlet of the Red Sea and one of the world's most important shipping routes. [5]

Offensive and Civilian Toll

The capture of Mokha follows a week-long Houthi offensive in Yemen's south-western coastal region that has killed hundreds and displaced thousands. [1] Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed and thousands displaced since the Houthis launched an offensive in the south-western coastal region a week ago. [1] Yemen's Houthi rebels have captured the port city of Mokha on the country's western coast, eyewitnesses and military sources said on Thursday as fighting between government troops and the militia intensifies in strategically important areas on the Red Sea. [4] Eyewitnesses told dpa that many residents were leaving Mokha fearing further escalation. [4] Videos circulating on social media and outlets affiliated with the Houthis reportedly show Houthi fighters patrolling throughout the city. [4] It was not possible to independently verify the footage. [4]

Escalation With Saudi Arabia

The advance coincides with escalated Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including dozens of drones and missiles on Tuesday that injured 73 civilians and hit oil facilities. [1] On Tuesday, the Houthis launched dozens of drones and missiles at southern Saudi Arabia, injuring 73 civilians and causing fires at several oil facilities that led to a temporary halt in operations, according to Saudi authorities. [1] The Houthis said they were retaliating for dozens of Saudi air strikes on their territory in north-western Yemen in recent days, including one on a prison in the town of Hazm in Jawf province that local officials said killed at least 23 civilians. [1]

Strategic Importance of the Red Sea Route

Mokha lies about 75-80 km north of the Bab al-Mandab strait, a vital shipping route linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and now used as an alternative to the closed Strait of Hormuz. [1] [2] [4] The capture of Mokha would bring the Iran-backed group closer to controlling the Bab al-Mandab strait, a key shipping route about 75km to the south that links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. [1] Mokha is about 80 kilometers from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic waterway between. [2] The Iran-backed Houthi militants have taken control of the Yemeni Red Sea city of Mocha, closing in on the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. [3] If confirmed, this would hand the Iran-backed Houthis control over a key access point to the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea. [4] Mokha is located just north of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the most important shipping routes for the global oil and gas trade besides the Strait of Hormuz. [4] From Mokha, the Houthis could attack and block shipping traffic in the Red Sea even more systematically than they have done so far. [4] Since the start of the Iran war, the strait has been used as an alternative trade route to compensate for disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. [4] Iran-aligned Houthi militants seized control of Yemen's port city of Mocha on Thursday, military sources said, posing a further threat to global energy supplies. [5] Four Yemeni government military sources said the Houthis had gained further leverage over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the southern outlet of the Red Sea and one of the world's most important shipping routes, and were launching attacks on the strategic islands of Hanish. [5]

Background of the Ceasefire Collapse in One of the Most Dangerous Countries

A four-year informal ceasefire began unraveling in July after Houthis announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia and started striking its airports, oil sites and Red Sea tankers. [1] A Saudi-led coalition of Arab states has backed Yemen's government against the Houthis in the country's devastating civil war for more than a decade. [1] A four-year-old informal ceasefire began to unravel in July, when the Houthis announced a "maritime embargo" against Saudi Arabia and began missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports, oil facilities and tankers in the Red Sea. [1] The Houthis said they were retaliating for a Saudi blockade of ports and airports in their territory, as well as an air strike on Sanaa airport that they blamed on the kingdom. [1] The Red Sea has become crucial for Saudi Arabia's oil exports since the start of the US and Israel's war with Iran, which has led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf. [1] The Houthis have been fighting Yemen's Saudi-backed government for more than a decade. [4] A 2022 truce left the conflict largely frozen, with no major fighting, but also with little prospect of an end to the war. [4] The conflict has flared up again amid the wider war involving Iran. [4] The Houthis already control key transport hubs in the area. [4]

What to watch next: Further Houthi advances toward the Bab al-Mandab strait and continued missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets remain possible as the group seeks leverage over the Red Sea route.