Houthi forces have captured the Red Sea port of Mokha, advancing toward the Bab al-Mandab Strait and raising concerns over global maritime trade and energy security.
Key facts
- •Mokha is a historic port city that serves as a key gateway to the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
- •The Houthi offensive has caused significant displacement, with many civilians fleeing toward the government-held city of Aden.
- •The Bab al-Mandab Strait is a vital chokepoint for roughly one-third of the world's maritime trade.
- •Yemeni government officials and regional sources allege the offensive was supported by IRGC personnel and Iranian-supplied weaponry.
- •The Saudi-led coalition has responded to the Houthi advance with air strikes on western Yemen.
Houthi forces seized control of the strategic Yemeni port city of Mokha from Saudi-backed pro-government forces on Thursday. The move follows a week-long offensive along the country's western coast, bringing the group within 75 kilometers of the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This narrow waterway is a critical global shipping route connecting Asia and Europe.
By the numbers
Military Advance and Regional Impact
The capture of Mokha has triggered a humanitarian crisis, with hundreds reported killed and thousands displaced as families flee toward Aden. Witnesses described Houthi fighters patrolling the city streets, where government offices and shops remain closed. Military sources also reported that the Houthis seized Zuqar Island in the southern Red Sea following a ground assault supported by boat-borne fighters. Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, has called on international partners to assist in defending the nation's coasts. The Houthis, who control approximately one-third of Yemen, have faced air strikes from a Saudi-led coalition in response to their offensive and ongoing missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia.
Strategic Significance and External Involvement
The Bab al-Mandab Strait handles nearly one-third of global maritime trade and one-quarter of daily petroleum shipments. Reports from various sources indicate that the Houthi offensive was bolstered by Iranian-supplied weapons, including drones, and involved guidance from commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). While Iran publicly denies directing the group, regional sources suggest the campaign aims to increase pressure on the United States and Saudi Arabia. The Houthi military evolution has been attributed to an expanding arsenal obtained through smuggling networks or direct support. The escalation has already contributed to a surge in global oil prices, as the group continues to maneuver for control over the vital Red Sea coastline.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Euronews, BBC World, Times of India.
