Yemen’s internationally recognized government forces say they have retaken the strategic port city of Mocha from the Iran-backed Houthi movement following a major military counteroffensive. The forces also claim to have regained several important positions near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and launched a strategic operation toward the capital, Sanaa.
Government Forces Push Back Houthis
According to Yemen’s military authorities, intense fighting took place around Mocha, with several Houthi fighters reportedly killed or wounded. Military sources also claimed that some Houthi fighters were captured, although no confirmed casualty figures were provided.
The offensive is focused not only on Mocha but also on securing key routes and positions close to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s important maritime routes for energy and commercial shipping.
Yemeni forces also announced that they had regained control of the Dhubab district in Taiz province and captured several strategically important locations near the strait. They said supply routes leading toward Bab el-Mandeb had been disrupted during the fighting.
Saudi-Backed Forces Receive Air Support
The Yemeni government’s forces are supported by a Saudi-led military coalition. Coalition officials said air operations had been launched against Houthi positions.
Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Malki said around 100 fighter aircraft were supporting Yemeni government forces. He also claimed that the coalition had provided air protection around Bab el-Mandeb and destroyed hundreds of Houthi targets.
However, battlefield claims regarding casualties, destroyed targets and territorial gains have not been independently verified.
Wider Conflict Intensifies
The latest fighting comes amid renewed regional tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel. The Houthis had previously expanded their control around Mocha and areas near Bab el-Mandeb during a rapid offensive in September.
The Houthi movement has controlled Sanaa and large parts of Yemen’s heavily populated northwest since 2014. The latest government offensive could therefore become an important development in the country’s long-running conflict.
The situation around Mocha and Bab el-Mandeb is also strategically significant because instability in the area can affect one of the key maritime corridors connecting international trade routes.
