Houthis seize Yemen’s Mocha, tightening grip on Bab al‑Mandeb

Houthis announced on Thursday that they have seized the Red Sea port city of Mocha in southwestern Yemen. The capture brings the militants within striking distance of the strategic Bab al‑Mandeb Strait, a narrow waterway that links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and handles a sizeable share of the world’s oil shipments.

The development matters because the Bab al‑Mandeb already faces pressure from Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. With the Houthis tightening their hold on the southern exit, any disruption could compound existing supply‑chain strains and push energy prices higher. Yemen’s internationally recognised government warned that the loss of Mocha threatens the safety of international navigation and could force shipping companies to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope.

Iranian support and regional calculations

Sources say the rapid advance was coordinated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, which have been supplying guidance, weapons and senior officers to the Houthis. The move aligns with Tehran’s broader strategy of opening a second front against the United States and its allies, following recent Iranian attacks on a U.S. unmanned surface vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

What comes next?

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, led by Rashad al‑Alimi, called for Arab and international assistance to protect the country’s coasts.

"The protection of Yemen's coasts and the restoration of state control over its territory, ports and waters is a joint Yemeni, Egyptian, Arab and international interest,"

he told Egypt’s ambassador.

In the short term, Saudi‑backed government forces are expected to launch a counter‑offensive aimed at recapturing Mocha. Meanwhile, the Houthis’ spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam insisted that navigation through the Red Sea and Bab al‑Mandeb remains "safe and regular," a claim that analysts view with scepticism given the heightened military activity.

International shipping firms are likely to monitor the situation closely, adjusting routes and insurance costs as the security environment evolves. If the Houthis consolidate control, the Bab al‑Mandeb could become a bargaining chip in any future diplomatic settlement, potentially reshaping the balance of power in the Red Sea region.