Saudi-backed forces retake key Yemeni port from Houthis
Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have retaken control of the strategic port city of Mokha, pushing back Iran-backed Houthi rebels in a rapid offensive. Yemen’s Defense Ministry confirmed the capture, marking a significant shift in the conflict along the Red Sea coastline. The government forces also reclaimed territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key shipping route.
The Houthis had previously seized Mokha during their own offensive, but the Saudi-led coalition, operating under the name "Dawn of Yemen," provided air support to help Yemeni forces regain the area. The coalition’s advances come as fighting has spilled over into Saudi Arabia, with the Houthis launching attacks on Saudi airports in Jazan and Najran. These strikes injured three people and caused damage to airport facilities.
The Houthis have also claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi oil facilities and military sites, though not all of these assertions have been verified. The ongoing conflict underscores the deepening tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, with both sides escalating their military actions.