Yemen’s Houthis reportedly seize strategic Red Sea port of Mokha

What happened

According to military sources cited by BBC Middle East Yemen, Yemen's Houthi movement has seized the strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha from Saudi-backed pro-government forces. Footage from the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV purportedly shows fighters inside the city. This advance brings the Houthis closer to potential control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical shipping route around 75km south that links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The capture follows a week-long offensive in Yemen’s south-western coastal region reported to have caused hundreds of deaths and displaced thousands, although exact casualty figures have not been independently confirmed. Concurrently, the conflict between the Houthis and neighbouring Saudi Arabia has intensified, contributing to a surge in global oil prices.

On the Saudi side, authorities report that Houthis launched dozens of drones and missiles targeting southern Saudi Arabia, injuring 73 civilians and causing fires at oil facilities that temporarily halted operations. The Houthis claim these attacks are retaliation for Saudi airstrikes on their territory, including a strike on a prison in Hazm, Jawf province, allegedly killing at least 23 civilians according to local officials.

Known from the source

• Military sources say the Houthis have seized the port city of Mokha from Saudi-backed pro-government forces.
• Footage on Houthi-run Al Masirah TV shows fighters inside Mokha.
• Mokha’s capture would bring the Houthis closer to the Bab al-Mandab strait, a key shipping route linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
• A week-long Houthi offensive in the south-western coastal region has caused hundreds of deaths and thousands displaced, according to reports.
• Houthis launched numerous drones and missiles at southern Saudi Arabia, injuring 73 civilians and impacting oil facilities, per Saudi sources.

What remains unclear

Since July, a four-year informal ceasefire has deteriorated after the Houthis declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia and escalated missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports, oil installations, and tankers in the Red Sea. The group attributes these actions to a Saudi blockade of ports and airports in Houthi-controlled areas and a Saudi airstrike on Sanaa airport. The strategic importance of the Red Sea corridor has grown amid the wider regional conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, leading to the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz and increased reliance on routes like Bab al-Mandab.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Independent verification of Houthi control over Mokha city. Accurate and independently confirmed casualty figures from recent fighting in south-west Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Verification of the details and impacts of the reported Saudi airstrike on Hazm prison and resulting casualties.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: BBC Middle East Yemen. Open the source.