The Iran-backed Houthi movement has captured the strategic Red Sea city of Mocha, significantly expanding its hold over the Bab al-Mandeb strait, one of the world’s most vital maritime trade corridors. Sources confirmed to Al Jazeera that the takeover occurred on Thursday as government forces withdrew from the area.
Yemeni government officials reportedly attempted to mount a defense and called for reinforcements, but the Houthis overwhelmed them through sustained military pressure. The conflict also resulted in the seizure of the nearby strategic district of Hais. As of now, Yemen’s internationally recognized government has not issued an official statement regarding the loss of the city.
The acquisition of Mocha grants the Houthis substantial leverage over global shipping. According to Yousef Mawry, Al Jazeera’s Yemen correspondent, controlling the port provides the group with the capability to monitor and pressure international trade. The Bab al-Mandeb strait is responsible for approximately 10 to 12 percent of global commerce.
Defense analyst Wolfgang Pusztai described the capture as a major development that deals a significant blow to the government by potentially cutting off the road leading to Taiz. He noted that the move allows the Houthis to control nearly all of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline. Pusztai highlighted that the strait is much narrower than the Strait of Hormuz, measuring about 20 kilometers (12 miles) wide compared to 50 kilometers (30 miles). This narrow width means the Houthis could potentially block passage using artillery alone, without relying on missiles or drones, posing a direct threat to Saudi Arabian and international shipping.
Yemen’s ambassador to Qatar, Rajeh Badi, accused Iran of reigniting the conflict after a five-year lull to tighten its grip on Red Sea routes. Badi stated that the relationship between Tehran and the Houthis is no longer secret, characterizing the group as a key regional asset alongside Hezbollah and the Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq.
While Pusztai acknowledged Iran’s significant influence, he emphasized that the Houthis are also pursuing their own agenda. In response to the offensive, Houthi-affiliated media reported that Saudi forces launched an additional 40 air strikes on the governorates of Taiz, Hodeidah, al-Jawf, and Marib on Thursday.
Saudi foreign policy analyst Abdulaziz Alghashian characterized the rapid Houthi advance as concerning but not entirely unexpected, suggesting it was driven more by disorganization within anti-Houthi forces than solely by Houthi strength. Meanwhile, Pakistan has warned Iran to restrain the group, indicating that its mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye could become operational if Houthi attacks on Saudi territory continue.
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