Yemen's Houthis Capture Strategic Red Sea Port City of Mokha

Yemen's Houthi movement has seized the strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha from Saudi-backed pro-government forces, according to military sources and witnesses. The advance places the Iran-backed group within 75 kilometers (46 miles) of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key southern gateway for maritime trade connecting Asia and Europe.

While Houthi representatives stated that international shipping faces no threat, they reiterated warnings to target vessels belonging to Saudi Arabia. The kingdom has relied heavily on Red Sea routes for oil exports following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf amid the conflict involving the United States and Israel.

Heavy Clashes and Civilian Displacement

Residents reported that Houthi fighters entered Mokha following intense fighting with pro-government troops on Wednesday night. The sudden takeover led to widespread panic, leaving government offices and commercial shops shuttered as fighters patrolled the streets on Thursday. Many displaced residents have begun fleeing east toward Aden, the seat of Yemen's internationally recognized Presidential Leadership Council and government.

The push into Mokha is part of a broader offensive launched in the south-west a week ago, which has reportedly resulted in hundreds of deaths and displaced thousands of people. Tarek Salah, leader of the pro-government National Resistance Forces, confirmed he relocated his west coast command centre to a safe location, stating his forces faced a planned and Iranian-supported Houthi offensive.

Escalation Across the Region

A Yemeni military source reported that Houthi forces also seized Zuqar Island, located roughly 80 kilometers north-west of Mokha, following boat-based ground assaults and heavy rocket fire. In response to the developments, Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, appealed to Arab nations and international partners to help secure Yemen's coastline and restore state authority.

Military action has intensified across multiple fronts. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea stated that Saudi aircraft conducted 64 strikes across Taiz, Hudaydah, Marib, and Jawf provinces within 24 hours. Concurrently, the Saudi-led coalition pledged to respond to Houthi drone and missile strikes targeting the southern Saudi cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Jazan, which injured 73 civilians and briefly disrupted operations at several energy facilities.