Houthis seize Red Sea city of Mokha, push toward Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have seized the Red Sea city of Mokha, Reuters, AFP and other outlets reported Thursday (local time). The rebels have been locked in fierce fighting with Saudi-led coalition forces for control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the mouth of the Red Sea.

Reuters, citing three Yemeni government sources, said the Houthis had taken Mokha and moved closer to the strategically vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

AFP filed a similar report citing a Yemeni military source, who said, "The Houthi rebels have seized Mokha and are now advancing toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait."

Local witnesses said they saw rebel forces entering the city while chanting "Death to America, death to Israel."

Mokha is a strategic port city located about 70 to 80 kilometers north of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Houthis' capture of the city means they now have a foothold on the approach to the strait.

South along the coastline from Mokha lie Dhubab and Sheikh Said Cape — the southwestern tip of the Arabian Peninsula — which sit directly on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Controlling this coastline is necessary to visually monitor vessels passing through the strait and to directly deploy ground troops and short-range weapons there.

Seizing Perim Island, which sits in the middle of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and splits it into two channels, would allow the Houthis to control shipping traffic through the strait entirely. However, the island is currently controlled by anti-Houthi forces — including the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, a Yemeni southern separatist group — which have built a runway and military base there.

Even without fully occupying Dhubab or Perim Island, the Houthis can now threaten passage through the strait simply by controlling Mokha.

Mokha is close enough to the strait that the Houthis could launch anti-ship missiles, suicide drones and fast attack boats from there. These could strike merchant vessels or warships passing through the strait.

The Houthis have been engaged in fierce fighting with Saudi-backed government forces as they push toward Red Sea coastal areas bordering the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key shipping route.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait links Asia and Europe via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Its importance as a major export route for oil and other energy resources has grown sharply since Iran — under attack from the US and Israel — moved to block the Strait of Hormuz.