The capture of Mokha marks the Houthis’ largest territorial gain since a 2022 cease-fire in Yemen that paused major fighting between the group and Yemen’s government. The Houthis also .
Government forces retreated south toward Dhubab, which overlooks Capturing the southwestern port also strengthens the Houthis’ ability to threaten shipping through Bab el-Mandeb, a waterway through which around 12% of global trade normally passes. The strait, which lies between Yemen, Djibouti and Eritrea and links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, has in retaliation for the U.S. and Israel’s Feb. 28 strikes.
Iran’s involvement
A Houthi-run body in Yemen that communicates with commercial shipping companies said navigation through Bab el-Mandeb remained safe, except for Saudi vessels.
The advance comes as Tehran has . A stronger Houthi position along the Red Sea coast could further constrain global energy supplies, raise shipping and insurance costs, and over Washington in conjunction with continued pressure on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The capture of Mokha came hours after President Donald Trump on Wednesday More shipping disruptions
From Mokha, which lies around 80 km north of Bab el-Mandeb, the Houthis have a stronger position to disrupt shipping, particularly targeting vessels travelling to and from Saudi Arabia, which is the world’s biggest crude exporter and a close U.S. ally.
Saudi Arabia has routed more oil to its Red Sea port of Yanbu after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. But the Houthis declared a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia on July 20 and began attacking Saudi shipping and energy infrastructure. Saudi crude exports have fallen to their lowest level in 13 years, with production dropping 23% from July to August. Overall vessel traffic through Bab el-Mandeb The advance could also force the U.S. to devote military resources towards protecting a second maritime chokepoint and assisting its ally, potentially complicating efforts to limit or swiftly end U.S. involvement in the Middle East.