In Yemen, the Houthis have seized the port city of Mocha
The Iran-backed Houthis have seized the port city of Mokha on Yemen's western coast, strengthening their positions near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait located at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. This shift in control over the area could impact global oil supplies and maritime trade.
In Yemen, the Houthis have captured the port city of Mocha
According to Reuters, citing sources in the Yemeni government, the Houthis have captured the port city of Mocha and are continuing their advance along the Red Sea coast.
The capture of Mocha has brought the Houthis even closer to the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait. This strait is one of the main sea routes connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.
The Bab al-Mandab became even more important after the start of the US and Israeli war against Iran. It is being used as an alternative trade route that partially compensates for oil delivery disruptions caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Reuters notes that if the Iran-backed Houthis establish full control over the Bab al-Mandab, it could give Tehran a significant military and strategic advantage. Such a situation increases the risk of reduced energy resource supplies and a sharp rise in oil prices on the global market.
The Houthis' march on Mocha took place just hours after US President Donald Trump stated that he expects the war with Iran to end after the congressional midterm elections in November 2026.
According to the agency, if the Houthis maintain control over the Bab al-Mandab or fully capture it, Washington's options for exiting the conflict could be limited.
Meanwhile, the forces of Yemen's internationally recognized government and their allies are being forced to retreat southward along the Red Sea coast.
Houthi representatives, however, have stated that shipping in the Red Sea is safe for all companies except for ships belonging to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest oil exporters and supports the opposing side against the Houthis in the Yemen conflict.
In early September, the Houthis announced the expansion of their military operations in the Middle East and struck four cities in southern Saudi Arabia. The attacks injured more than 70 people and caused fires at oil facilities.
In response, Saudi Arabia launched more than 60 airstrikes on several Houthi-controlled provinces.
The civil war in Yemen has been ongoing since 2014. As a result of the conflict, the country has practically been divided into territories controlled by several forces. The Houthis control the northern and western provinces of Yemen, including the capital, Sana'a.