Houthis capture Red Sea port city in push to seize Bab el

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-10T11:42:41.428Z • Permanent link

Yemen's Houthi rebels, a militant group affiliated with Iran, have captured the strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha, according to multiple sources. This development marks a significant escalation of the conflict in Yemen, where the Houthis have been waging a brutal insurgency against the government of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and his Saudi-led coalition allies since 2015. The Houthis' latest offensive is meant to replicate Iran's Hormuz blockade in the Bab el-Mandeb, with Red Sea coastal towns and islands in the crucial waterway among their next military objectives.

Led by the Supreme Revolutionary Committee, a Houthi leadership body, the group has been making significant gains in recent months, seizing key ports and cities along the Red Sea coast. The capture of Mokha, a key commercial hub, is seen as a major strategic victory for the Houthis, who have been seeking to expand their control over Yemen's coastline and disrupt maritime traffic in the Bab el-Mandeb. The Bab el-Mandeb is a narrow strait that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, and is a critical chokepoint for international shipping, particularly for oil tankers and other commercial vessels.

The Houthis' push to seize control of the Bab el-Mandeb is seen as a key component of their broader strategy to counterbalance the influence of Saudi Arabia and the United States in the region. By replicating Iran's Hormuz blockade, the Houthis hope to disrupt global oil supplies and gain an upper hand in the ongoing conflict. The move has sparked concerns among regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have been seeking to maintain their influence in the region.

Houthis' capture of Mokha has significant implications for companies operating in the region, including shipping and logistics firms, which rely on the Bab el-Mandeb to transport goods and supplies. The disruption of maritime traffic in the Bab el-Mandeb could lead to significant delays and increased costs for companies, potentially impacting their bottom line and competitiveness. Research communities and policymakers will also need to reassess their assumptions about the conflict in Yemen and the role of external powers, including Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The impact of the Houthis' push to seize control of the Bab el-Mandeb will also be felt in global markets, where oil prices could surge in response to disruptions to global supply chains. The move could also have implications for the global economy, particularly in regions that rely heavily on international trade. Companies operating in the region will need to be prepared to respond to the changing security environment and potential disruptions to their operations.

The Houthis' push to seize control of the Bab el-Mandeb is part of a broader pattern of escalating conflict in the region. The ongoing conflict in Yemen has been fueled by a complex array of factors, including regional rivalries, ideological differences, and external interventions. The conflict has also been marked by significant humanitarian suffering, with millions of Yemenis displaced or affected by the fighting.