Iran-backed Houthi rebels have seized the key Yemeni Red Sea port of Mokha, advancing closer to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and dealing a major blow to Saudi-backed forces in the latest escalation of Yemen’s long-running civil war.The capture of Mokha gives the Houthis a stronger position along Yemen’s western coast and puts them about 50 miles (80 km) from the Bab el-Mandeb, a vital waterway linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.The development brings the rebels closer to their goal of targeting shipping through the strategic route.
Why Mokha matters to Saudi Arabia
Mokha had long been held by forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ advance therefore represents a significant setback for the Saudi-backed forces fighting to contain the Iran-aligned rebels.The Financial Times reported that the capture opens a pathway for the Houthis to advance towards Bab el-Mandeb and could strengthen Iran’s position as it seeks to maintain pressure on global energy prices. The port is now just around 50 km from the strait.The Houthis have also stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia in recent days. They launched missile and drone strikes targeting southern Saudi cities and energy infrastructure, while Saudi-led forces carried out airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen.
Houthis deny threat to shipping
Despite the advance, Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam said navigation and international trade through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb remained safe and regular.In a post on X, Abdulsalam said Yemen posed no threat to shipping and described the group’s operations as defensive and limited to previously announced targets. He said the operations would end if attacks on Yemen stopped and the blockade was lifted, according to Reuters.The Houthis have previously threatened shipping in the Red Sea and declared a blockade on Saudi ports in July. The latest fighting has raised fresh concerns over the security of one of the world’s key maritime routes.
Fighting threatens Yemen ceasefire
The latest Houthi advance comes after days of intense fighting with Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces. According to news agency AP, Houthis have also captured positions in western Taiz province, where Mokha is located.Saudi-backed forces have launched their own counteroffensive, while Yemeni government forces have carried out airstrikes targeting Houthi reinforcements. Clashes have also continued towards Hodeida, another key Red Sea port controlled by the Houthis.The fighting has effectively put further pressure on the fragile truce that took effect in 2022 after years of war.Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen’s civil war in 2015 at the head of an Arab coalition after the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa.The latest escalation has also raised concerns over the wider impact on shipping and energy markets, with the Bab el-Mandeb becoming increasingly important for trade and oil shipments amid disruptions elsewhere in the region.
