Yemen forces claim capture of key Red Sea port from Houthi rebels

Yemen's official military said its troops have driven Iran-aligned Houthi forces from several locations in the vicinity of Bab al-Mandeb, one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. The government forces claimed to have captured Mocha, a Red Sea port city that has been contested throughout Yemen's eight-year conflict, with backing from Saudi-led coalition aircraft.

The Houthis rejected the government's account of events, insisting they retain control of key positions and signaling plans for retaliatory military action. The insurgent group has repeatedly demonstrated the capability to strike coalition forces and regional shipping in the Red Sea.

The latest fighting has intensified international concern over freedom of navigation in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. The conflict has also exacerbated a humanitarian crisis in Taiz province and elsewhere, with the renewed clashes triggering fresh waves of displacement among Yemen's already devastated civilian population.

The Bab al-Mandeb strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and serves as a vital transit route for global commerce, including significant volumes of containerized cargo. Any disruption to shipping lanes raises supply chain risks across South Asia and beyond.