Houthis capture Mocha, tightening grip on Bab el-Mandeb Strait
Yemen's Houthi rebels have taken control of the port city of Mocha, according to four Yemeni government military sources. The group is also attacking the Hanish islands, while government forces are relocating to Dhubab, a key point near the strait. The escalation threatens global energy supplies and could reignite full-scale conflict in Yemen.
The capture of Mocha follows a recent surge in hostilities between the Iran-aligned Houthis and the internationally recognized Yemeni government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia. This new front adds to the broader regional tensions involving Iran, potentially disrupting vital maritime traffic.
Government forces are currently repositioning toward Dhubab, a coastal area facing Perim Island, as the Houthis also strike the Hanish archipelago. Although a UN-brokered truce in 2022 largely quieted the long-running war, the absence of a permanent peace deal leaves the door open for renewed, widespread conflict.
The escalating fight for the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could severely impact global energy markets, as it serves as a critical chokepoint for oil shipments. Should the Houthis fully secure the passage, international shipping costs may rise, and energy supplies could become more volatile. Additionally, the renewed violence may displace more civilians in Yemen and undermine the fragile stability established by the earlier ceasefire, potentially drawing regional powers deeper into the conflict.