Houthis Seize Yemen's Mocha Port, Threatening Global Energy Flows

The Houthi movement in Yemen has gained control of the key port city of Mocha, posing a threat to global energy supplies. The seizure is part of their efforts to gain leverage over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

According to military sources, the Houthis have also launched attacks on the strategic islands of Hanish and reached the island of Dhubab, which sits directly on the strait. This would give their sponsor Iran a critical advantage in the war with the United States, reducing supplies through the Red Sea route.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is one of the world's most important shipping routes, carrying crude oil and fuel from the Gulf to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. The seizure has already sent Brent crude prices surging by 3.5% to above $100 a barrel on Thursday.