**Houthis Seize Strategic Red Sea Port of Al-Makha Amid Escalating Conflict**
In a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Yemen, the Houthi movement has reportedly captured the strategic Red Sea city of al-Makha, also known as Mocha, and is advancing towards the critical Bab al-Mandeb Strait. This information has emerged from various media reports, including Reuters and AFP, indicating a marked escalation in hostilities in the region.
According to reports, the Houthis managed to push out Saudi-backed government forces from Mocha after several days of intense fighting, successfully taking control of both the city and its port. Witnesses described scenes of Houthi fighters entering the city on Thursday, chanting slogans against the United States and Israel. The capture of Mocha is seen as a significant strategic victory for the Houthis, as it enhances their position along Yemen’s coastline and could potentially disrupt supply routes for government forces supported by Saudi Arabia.
In addition to the seizure of Mocha, the Houthis have also launched attacks on the nearby Hanish islands, reportedly capturing Zuqar Island following rocket strikes and an amphibious assault. Control of these islands would further solidify the Houthis' influence in the region, which is crucial for maritime trade and military logistics.
The internationally recognized Yemeni government has not yet confirmed the loss of Mocha. However, Lt. Gen. Tareq Saleh, who led the forces in the city, acknowledged the situation and stated that he had ordered his troops to reorganize and establish a new command center in a secure location.
This recent escalation follows a period of relative calm that had persisted for approximately four years, following a UN-brokered truce in 2022. The Houthis have been engaged in a protracted conflict with Yemen’s internationally recognized government since they seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014, which prompted a Saudi-led coalition to intervene militarily.
Tensions have been rising since July, when Yemen's government claimed to have struck Sanaa airport to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing, which was reportedly carrying a Houthi delegation. In response, the Houthis declared an end to the de-escalation phase and announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia. By mid-August, the Houthis had intensified their military operations, launching coordinated missile and drone strikes against Saudi-backed government positions.
The conflict escalated further earlier this week when the Houthis targeted energy infrastructure in southern Saudi Arabia, including facilities belonging to Saudi Aramco, the nation’s largest oil producer. The Houthis justified these attacks as retaliation for what they claimed were 121 Saudi airstrikes on Yemen in the preceding three days. In response, Saudi forces conducted additional airstrikes across multiple Yemeni provinces.
The ongoing battle for control of Yemen's Red Sea coast carries significant implications beyond the immediate conflict. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait serves as a vital maritime passage, linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, and is responsible for approximately 10% of global seaborne trade. The importance of this route has increased in light of geopolitical tensions, particularly following the outbreak of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, which has led to a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Consequently, Saudi Arabia has been compelled to rely more heavily on exports through the Red Sea.
Saudi Aramco has responded to these pressures by increasing crude oil shipments through its cross-country pipeline to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, with loadings averaging over 4 million barrels per day since June—a significant increase compared to previous years. Disruptions to shipping through Bab al-Mandeb pose a growing threat to the kingdom’s oil exports, particularly as Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping have escalated in 2023.
Despite the rising hostilities, Saudi officials have expressed a willingness to pursue diplomatic solutions. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud recently criticized the Houthis for prioritizing their own interests over those of Yemen but maintained that the path to diplomacy remains open.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community watches closely, given the potential ramifications for regional stability and global trade.