Yemen Fighting Escalates Along Red Sea Coast
Fighting in Yemen has intensified along the Red Sea coast as government forces launched attacks on Houthi rebels, who have fired into neighboring Saudi Arabia. This escalation comes after government forces suffered a setback, losing the port city of Mokha and an island on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The renewed fighting has worsened the humanitarian crisis, with over 82,000 people displaced since the start of September, according to the United Nations.
Sultan al-Arada, a member of the ruling presidential council, described the collapse of government forces in Mokha and other parts of Yemen's west coast as 'painful and regrettable'. He stated that the forces are currently regrouping and will return to the battle in one form or another.
The Houthis have been targeting Saudi oil infrastructure and shipping in the Red Sea, part of what they describe as a blockade. Despite this, Saudi Arabia has not announced any new attacks on Houthi targets.