Houthi fighters have reportedly taken control of the strategic Red Sea port of Mokha following intense clashes with Saudi-backed pro-government forces. The capture of the city, which occurred Wednesday night, places the Iran-backed group approximately 75km from the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical maritime passage for global trade.
Witnesses in Mokha described a chaotic scene as fighters moved into the city, prompting many families to flee toward Aden, the current base for Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Residents reported that shops and government offices were shuttered on Thursday as Houthi patrols moved through the streets. One displaced resident told BBC Arabic that families were forced to leave their homes without warning or belongings.
While the Houthis have not issued a formal confirmation of the city's capture, their Supreme Political Council stated that hostilities in the western coastal districts had ended following the removal of what they termed "Saudi enemy mobilisations." Tarek Salah, commander of the pro-government National Resistance Forces, confirmed he had relocated his command center to a secure area, citing a significant toll from the recent offensive.
The conflict has intensified significantly over the past week, with reports of hundreds of fatalities and thousands of people displaced. Military sources also indicated that Houthi forces seized Zuqar Island, located northwest of Mokha, following a coordinated rocket and boat assault. In response to the ground offensive, the Saudi-led coalition has conducted extensive air strikes across several Yemeni provinces, including Taiz and Hudaydah.
The escalation follows a series of Houthi drone and missile strikes targeting Saudi oil facilities and cities, including Khamis Mushait and Jazan, which resulted in civilian injuries and temporary operational halts at energy sites. The Houthis maintain that these actions are retaliatory measures against the Saudi-led coalition's ongoing blockade and air campaigns. Despite the heightened military activity, the Houthi leadership has stated that international shipping in the Red Sea remains secure, though they continue to enforce a maritime embargo against Saudi vessels.
Source: BBC News
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