Yemeni troops and Saudi warplanes hit Houthi targets near Red Sea port as thousands flee

Yemeni government forces launched air strikes on Houthi fighters along the Red Sea coast, attempting to retake the strategic port of Mocha after the Iran-aligned group seized it. Saudi Arabia has reportedly conducted over 100 air attacks in the past two days in support of the internationally recognised government, which calls the fighting a battle for survival. The clashes have displaced tens of thousands of Yemenis, with more than 2,000 crossing to Djibouti.

The Houthi capture of Mocha and Mayun Island has given the group full control over the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. Government forces, having withdrawn from the coast, are now regrouping in Marib, where officials vow to return to battle despite describing the setback as painful. The conflict has displaced tens of thousands, with over 2,000 civilians fleeing to Djibouti by sea.

Saudi Arabia has intensified its air campaign, launching more than 100 strikes in two days in support of the internationally recognised government. A senior official accused the Houthis of ending peace efforts and forcing a return to war, while government units claim to have downed drones in ongoing clashes. The fighting spans multiple fronts as both sides dig in.