Mocha: Yemen's Houthis seized control of the strategic Red Sea port city of Mocha, with witnesses reporting fighters marching on the area chanting "death to America, death to Israel". Saudi Arabia launched dozens of airstrikes in the last 24 hours, according to the military spokesman for the Houthis, who control large parts of northwest Yemen and recently launched a large-scale offensive against Riyadh-backed Yemeni government forces.
According to France24.com, the Houthis launched attacks on Saudi territory that left dozens wounded, reigniting a conflict during the Middle East war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. A Yemeni military source reported that the Iran-backed Houthis were advancing towards the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait after taking control of Mocha. The waterway, linking Asia to Europe via the Red Sea and Suez Canal, has gained importance as a transit route since the start of the wider Middle East war, which saw Iran blockade the Strait of Hormuz.
The regional war has disrupted maritime traffic in the Gulf, causing oil prices to soar. On Thursday, the US oil contract WTI surpassed $100, after Brent North Sea crude, the main international benchmark, already surpassed this figure on Wednesday.
Following Mocha's capture, Yemen's internationally recognized Presidential Leadership Council leader, Rashad al-Alimi, stated that protecting the country's coasts and restoring state control is an "Arab and international interest". The military source indicated that the Houthis also seized Zuqar Island in the southern Red Sea, following rocket attacks and a ground assault involving boats transporting fighters.
Tarek Saleh, head of the Yemeni National Resistance Forces that controlled Mocha, announced relocating his command center to a safe location to regroup. Government forces have suffered significant losses in recent days in the face of a Houthi offensive, reportedly planned and supported by Iran.
Before the offensive, the Houthis controlled much of Yemen's north, including the capital Sanaa, and the major port city of Hodeidah on the Red Sea. However, they did not previously hold areas directly overlooking Bab al-Mandab. With drones and missiles, the Houthis have been able to disrupt traffic in the Red Sea, and controlling the coast would further strengthen their maritime coercion.
The Houthi advance in Mocha and the nearby areas of Khokha and Hays has led many people to flee to Aden, where the internationally recognized government is based. Mohamed, a 46-year-old who left Mocha, described an "apocalyptic" atmosphere in the city, while Mujahid Tahami reported looting by gangs as some families attempted to flee.
Yemen relapsed into war in July after years of relative calm punctuated by sporadic violence and deepening poverty. Since last week, the fighting in Yemen has resulted in over 500 deaths, mostly combatants, and forced nearly 20,000 people to flee their homes, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The Saudi-led coalition battling the Houthis reported that the group fired ballistic missiles and drones at several cities in southern Saudi Arabia. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced that Saudi Arabia had launched 64 strikes on Yemen over the previous 24 hours, with Al-Masirah TV channel reporting 10 strikes on Taiz province in western Yemen.
The United Nations Security Council convened to discuss the conflict, with Yemen envoy Hans Grundberg urging active investment from every member to prevent further escalation. The emergency meeting, organized by the United Kingdom, called on the Security Council to demand the Houthis de-escalate, cease attacks, and return to a path towards peace. The hostilities began in July when the Houthis allowed an Iranian plane to land, defying Saudi control of Yemeni airspace. The government retaliated by striking Sanaa airport, an attack the Houthis attributed to Saudi Arabia.
