Yemen government forces claim recapturing Mocha from Houthis

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Yemen Forces Claim Mocha Recapture in Major Counter-Offensive

   Yemeni government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition claim to have recaptured the strategic Red Sea port city of Mocha and secured the Bab al-Mandab Strait from Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The offensive follows intense clashes in western Taiz and includes the seizure of Dhubab and surrounding sites. Yemeni forces report that 1,860 Houthi fighters have been neutralised during the counter-offensive. While pro-government forces push a strategic offensive toward the capital of Sanaa, oil markets remain on edge with Brent trading around $100 a barrel over potential supply disruptions.

   Why it matters

   The offensive marks a major escalation as Yemeni forces attempt to reverse Houthi gains with the aid of heavier air power and renewed international support. The Houthis have held Sanaa for over a decade. The fighting directly impacts vital shipping lanes near the Bab al-Mandab Strait and heightens regional tensions involving Saudi Arabia and Iran.

   What is confirmed

   • Yemen's Saudi-backed government announced a major offensive against the Iran-backed Houthis.
   • Yemeni government forces claimed to have seized the vital Red Sea port city of Mocha.
   • A Saudi-led coalition said its fighter jets are bombing Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
   • The Saudi-led coalition stated it intercepted a missile fired by Yemen's Houthis at the kingdom.
   • Yemeni forces claimed to have secured the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Houthis have denied suffering losses in Mocha and claimed an attack on Riyadh airport.
   • Yemeni government forces claimed that 1,860 Houthi fighters have been neutralised since the launch of the counter-offensive.

   What to watch next

   • Verification of control over Mocha and the Bab al-Mandab Strait by independent observers
   • Further developments in the pro-government offensive pushing toward Sanaa
   • Market response to potential Middle East oil supply disruptions
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. CNN — Yemen’s Saudi-backed government announces major offensive against Iran-backed Houthis
   2. Al Jazeera — Yemen forces claim to seize Dhubab, sites near Bab al-Mandeb from Houthis
   3. Reuters — Yemeni government forces seize district by Bab el-Mandeb, military sources say
   4. apnews.com — A Saudi-led coalition says its fighter jets are bombing Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels
   5. BBC — Yemeni government forces say they have 'secured' Bab al-Mandab Strait
   6. Al Jazeera — Iran war live: Yemen forces reclaim strategic port city Mocha from Houthis
   7. Bloomberg.com — Saudi-Led Forces Claim Ground Advances in Yemen Against Houthis
   8. CNBC — Yemen forces reclaim key Red Sea port city from Iran-backed Houthis in major counteroffensive
   9. www.cnbc.com — Iran war: Yemen forces reclaim Red Sea port city of Mokha from Houthis
   10. www.koreaherald.com — Saudi coalition says intercepted missile fired by Yemen's Houthis
   11. economictimes.indiatimes.com — What's brewing in Mocha? Houthis deny losses, claim Riyadh airport attack
   12. www.tvcnews.tv — Yemeni Forces Claim 1,860 Houthis Neutralised In Counter-Offensive
   confidence 95%