Military sources and eyewitnesses reported that Houthi forces took control of the Red Sea port city of Mokha following intense clashes with Saudi-backed pro-government forces. The seizure occurred after fierce fighting on Wednesday night, with Houthi fighters subsequently patrolling city streets on Thursday. The capture brings the Iran-backed group approximately 75 kilometers from the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical waterway connecting Asian and European trade routes.
Hundreds of casualties and thousands of displaced persons have been reported since the Houthis initiated their south-western offensive a week prior. Residents described chaotic scenes as families fled the city with minimal possessions, heading eastward toward Aden where Yemen’s internationally recognized government operates. According to military sources, Houthi forces also captured Zuqar Island in the Red Sea, located roughly 80 kilometers north-west of Mokha, following rocket barrages and a ground assault conducted by boat.
The Houthi Supreme Political Council stated that clashes had ceased following the expulsion of Saudi forces from western coastal districts. The group asserted its right to defend Yemen’s sovereignty while simultaneously stating that Red Sea navigation remained secure for international vessels. However, Houthi officials reiterated an embargo on Saudi-flagged ships. Meanwhile, pro-government military leader Tarek Salah confirmed relocating his command center to a secure location, characterizing the Houthi offensive as Iranian-supported.
Escalating hostilities between the parties have triggered broader regional tensions. Saudi air strikes on Houthi-controlled areas continued, with military spokespeople reporting dozens of strikes across western provinces. In response, the Houthis launched missile and drone attacks on southern Saudi cities, resulting in civilian injuries and temporary disruptions to oil facility operations. These confrontations have contributed to increased global oil prices.
The violence marks a deterioration of an informal ceasefire that had begun to collapse in July, when the Houthis announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia. The group attributed its actions to Saudi blockades of ports and airports in Houthi-controlled territory and previous strikes on civilian infrastructure.
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