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Houthis Seize Strategic Yemeni Red Sea Port, Expanding Control Over Bab al-Mandeb Strait
Confirmed
In Short: The Iran-backed Houthis have taken control of Mocha, a strategic Red Sea port, from Yemeni government forces, expanding their control over the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a critical global trade route.
Yemen's Houthis have seized the strategic Red Sea port of Mocha from government forces, according to multiple sources. The city's fall, confirmed by three Yemeni government sources and reported by Al Jazeera, marks a significant blow to the Yemeni government and expands Houthi control over the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a crucial global trade route responsible for 10-12 percent of global trade.
The capture of Mocha, which also includes the strategic district of Hais, was not due to the strength of the Houthis but rather the disarray of anti-Houthi forces, according to analyst Yousef Mawry. This move gives the Houthis control over much of Yemen's coast on the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb strait, enabling them to monitor international trade and exert pressure on global shipping.
The strategic importance of Mocha cannot be overstated, as it provides the Houthis with 'the eyes, the ears, and the pressure to monitor international trade,' according to Mawry. Analysts warn that the Houthi control over the Bab al-Mandeb strait could have significant implications for global trade and security.
The Yemeni government has yet to officially confirm the loss of Mocha, but the Houthi advance continues, with the group nearing complete control of other coastal cities along the strait as they push to take over the entire Yemeni Red Sea coast.
Background
A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Hamburg, Manchester and Duluth; these access the sea via rivers or canals.
What's confirmed
- Yemen's Houthis have seized the strategic Red Sea port of Mocha from government forces, according to multiple sources. The city's fall, confirmed by three Yemeni government sources and reported by Al Jazeera, marks a significant blow to the Yemeni government and expands Houthi control over the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a crucial global trade route responsible for 10-12 percent of global trade.
- The capture of Mocha, which also includes the strategic district of Hais, was not due to the strength of the Houthis but rather the disarray of anti-Houthi forces, according to analyst Yousef Mawry. This move gives the Houthis control over much of Yemen's coast on the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb strait, enabling them to monitor international trade and exert pressure on global shipping.
- The strategic importance of Mocha cannot be overstated, as it provides the Houthis with 'the eyes, the ears, and the pressure to monitor international trade,' according to Mawry. Analysts warn that the Houthi control over the Bab al-Mandeb strait could have significant implications for global trade and security.
- The Yemeni government has yet to officially confirm the loss of Mocha, but the Houthi advance continues, with the group nearing complete control of other coastal cities along the strait as they push to take over the entire Yemeni Red Sea coast.
What's still developing
- The Iran-backed group took over Mocha on Thursday while internationally recognised government forces withdrew, sources told Al Jazeera’s Yemen correspondent, Yousef Mawry.
- Three Yemeni government sources also told the Reuters news agency that the city had been taken.
- Over the past 10 days, the Houthis have been trying to push west of Taiz with the objective of taking over Mocha.
- Badi said the relationship between Iran and the Houthis was “no longer a secret”, describing the group as one of Iran’s key regional arms alongside Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in Iraq.
- Tehran is “doubling down on the Houthis as its remaining lever” and had helped reignite the war after a lull of about five years, Badi told Al Jazeera.
- Yemen’s government forces have yet to issue an official confirmation.
- Ukrainian forces struck at least three Russian naval vessels in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and attacked a key Russian port on the Caspian Sea, Ukraine’s General Staff said on Thursday.