Houthi Forces Seize Yemen's Mocha Port City, Threatening Global Trade Routes
Iran-backed Houthi forces have taken control of Yemen's strategic port city of Mocha, putting pressure on global trade routes. The advance threatens the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key chokepoint for international shipping and energy shipments. The strait connects the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea and Suez Canal, making it a critical artery for goods moving between Asia and Europe.
The seizure comes as Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on the Red Sea route to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which remains severely constrained due to Iran's control. The Houthis' gains in Mocha and surrounding areas have raised concerns about the potential for further disruptions to oil and commercial traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb.
A senior administration official said the US is focused on protecting its core national security interests, including ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. However, Yemeni government sources reported that the Houthis captured Mocha and reached the Hanish Islands, while Saudi-backed forces withdrew south toward Dhubab.