Houthis seize control of Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Mocha: Reuters

SANAA, Sept 10: Houthi forces have taken control of the Yemeni Red Sea port city of Mocha, less than 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, three Yemeni government officials opposed to the group told Reuters on Thursday.

Arab media reports said Yemeni government forces withdrew from the city on Thursday morning as Houthi fighters advanced into Mocha.

Photos and videos circulating on social media also appeared to show Houthi fighters inside the city, although the reports and footage could not immediately be independently verified.

The reported capture of Mocha would mark a significant development in Yemen’s conflict, giving the Iran-backed Houthi movement greater influence along a strategically important stretch of the Red Sea coastline.

Mocha is located near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and a major route for international shipping.

The development could raise further concerns over maritime security and commercial shipping in the Red Sea region, which has already faced repeated threats and attacks linked to Yemen’s conflict.

The Houthis have controlled Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and large parts of the country since 2014, while fighting has continued with forces aligned with the internationally recognized government.