Yemeni military says Red Sea waterway 'secured' after recapturing Mocha

· Security · Yemen

Yemen's Saudi-backed military said it had "secured" the Red Sea waterway after recapturing the port city of Mocha near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, though forces gave conflicting reports on whether Mokha itself had been fully seized. Saudi-backed forces said they had pushed the Iran-backed Houthis out of most areas the rebels captured last month along the coast. The Houthis, in turn, said they had attacked key locations in Saudi Arabia. The Bab al-Mandab Strait is a vital chokepoint for global shipping between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Why it matters：Who controls Bab el-Mandab determines the safety of a key trade route linking Europe and Asia, affecting shipping costs and oil flows.

Key points

  • Yemen's military said it secured the Red Sea waterway around Bab el-Mandab.
  • Reports conflicted on whether Mocha was fully seized from the Houthis.
  • The Houthis claimed strikes on targets inside Saudi Arabia.

Sources (original reporting)

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