Yemen's Houthi rebels have reportedly seized the strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha, a development that could bring the Iran-backed group closer to controlling the vital Bab al-Mandab Strait waterway. The Bab al-Mandab Strait is a crucial chokepoint for global shipping, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
This reported capture follows a recent escalation in hostilities between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition. On Tuesday, the Houthis launched dozens of drones and missiles at southern Saudi Arabia, resulting in 73 civilian injuries and fires at oil facilities that led to a temporary halt in operations, according to Saudi authorities. The group stated these actions were retaliation for Saudi airstrikes on their territory in northwestern Yemen, including a strike on a prison that killed at least 23 civilians.
The conflict in Yemen, a devastating civil war that has lasted over a decade, has seen a Saudi-led coalition backing the Yemeni government against the Houthis. An informal ceasefire that began four years ago started to deteriorate in July when the Houthis announced a "maritime embargo" against Saudi Arabia and initiated missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi airports, oil facilities, and Red Sea tankers.
The Houthis claim their actions are a response to a Saudi blockade of ports and airports in their territory, as well as an airstrike on Sanaa airport, which they attribute to Saudi Arabia. The Red Sea's significance for Saudi oil exports has increased, particularly since the start of the war between the United States and Israel with Iran, which has effectively led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf.