Houthis Seize Key Yemeni Port City and Strategic Red Sea Islands

Houthi rebels captured the Red Sea port city of Mocha (Al-Mukha) and several strategic islands in the southern Red Sea on Thursday, according to Yemeni military sources speaking to Reuters. The rebels also reportedly seized the Hanish Islands and the island of Zuqar. Local sources told Al-Araby that the Houthis took control of Perim Island, which sits in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a crucial chokepoint at the entrance to the Red Sea, though this remains unconfirmed by other outlets.

Yemeni military officials stated earlier that Houthi forces were pushing Yemeni troops, supported by Saudi Arabia, south towards Dhubab, located on the Bab el-Mandeb strait opposite Perim Island. The capture of Mocha is expected to enhance the Houthis' ability to blockade Bab el-Mandeb and control access to the Red Sea. Yemeni media reported that Houthi forces also seized the Dhubab air base south of Mocha, placing them approximately 30 kilometers from the strait.

According to AFP, the island captures were carried out using rocket attacks followed by commando assaults launched from speedboats. Videos circulating online show armed Houthi pickup trucks driving through Mocha, with fighters shouting slogans against Israel and the United States.

The Houthi offensive along the coast occurs amid the collapse of a ceasefire in Yemen's civil war and an increase in Saudi airstrikes against the rebels. Earlier this week, the Houthis attacked Saudi Arabia, hitting the Abha International Airport, King Khalid Air Base, and facilities belonging to the state oil giant Aramco in the Abha and Jizan regions.