Yemen's Houthis reportedly seize strategic Red Sea port of Mokha
Houthi forces have reportedly captured the strategic port of Mokha in Yemen, escalating the regional conflict and threatening key Red Sea shipping lanes. The move follows increased Houthi drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure.
Why it matters
The capture of this port threatens global oil supply chains and intensifies the geopolitical instability in the Middle East.
Footage from Houthi-run Al Masirah TV purportedly showed Houthi fighters in Mokha
Yemen's Houthi movement has seized the strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha from Saudi-backed pro-government forces, military sources say.
The capture of Mokha would bring the Iran-backed group closer to controlling the Bab al-Mandab strait, a key shipping route about 75km (46 miles) to the south that links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed and thousands displaced since the Houthis launched an offensive in the south-western coastal region a week ago.
At the same time, there has been a significant escalation in the Houthis' conflict with neighbouring Saudi Arabia that has contributed to a surge in global oil prices.
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