Houthi rebels seize Yemen’s Mocha city:Just 75 km from Bab al-Mandeb, further advance could threaten oil supplies

Iran-backed Houthi rebels have captured Mokha, a strategically important port city on Yemen’s Red Sea coast. The city is around 75 km from the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Bab al-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. It is one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. Mokha was previously controlled by the Yemeni National Resistance Forces, a Saudi-backed group fighting the Houthis. Fighting between the two sides had been underway for the past nine days. The capture of Mokha is being seen as the Houthis’ biggest territorial gain in the past four years. Houthi fighters are now advancing towards Yemen’s key city of Taiz. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has sent a message to Iran through Pakistan, asking Tehran to tell the Houthis to stop attacks on Saudi Arabia. However, an Iranian official said Iran does not control the Houthis. Houthis strengthen grip after capturing Mokha Mokha had long been under the control of the Yemeni National Resistance Forces. For around 10 days, Houthi fighters had been steadily advancing towards the western side of Taiz. Along the way, they also captured the Al-Shuqaira area. The area lies on an important route connecting Taiz city with the western coast. Its capture has further strengthened the Houthis’ grip in the region. The Houthis already control Yemen’s capital Sanaa and the major Red Sea port of Hodeidah. The capture of Mokha gives them control over another important area on the western coast. This is why the battle for Mokha is not being seen merely as the capture of a port city. It could further strengthen the Houthis’ military and strategic position along Yemen’s western coast. Houthis move closer to Bab al-Mandeb, threat to ships rises After capturing Mokha, the Houthis have moved closer to Bab al-Mandeb. They have also advanced towards the Hanish Islands in the Red Sea. Dhubab and the islands opposite it are located very close to Bab al-Mandeb. Defence experts say that if the Houthis further strengthen their grip in this area, it could become easier for them to monitor ships passing through the Red Sea and put pressure on them. Bab al-Mandeb is a narrow maritime passage. Controlling a very large area is not necessary to pose a threat to ships passing through it. In other words, the Houthis could threaten ships by gaining control over a few strategic areas around the strait. Pakistan says it will not send troops to help Saudi Arabia Iran supports the Houthi rebels, while Saudi Arabia supports Yemen’s government. Amid Houthi attacks in Yemen, Pakistan has so far ruled out military action. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said there is currently no discussion about military action against the Houthis under the defence agreement with Saudi Arabia. He said, “There is no such matter under discussion at present. When the time comes, action will be taken under the agreement.” The Pakistan Foreign Ministry’s statement came a day after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif made a statement on the issue. Asif had said that if the conflict in Yemen reaches Saudi Arabia, the defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye could come into effect. Under the defence agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye on August 7, if one of the three countries is attacked, the other two countries will help protect it. Why has fighting intensified again in Yemen? The civil war between the Houthis and Yemen’s internationally recognised government began in 2014. In 2022, a ceasefire was reached between the two sides through UN efforts. However, no permanent peace agreement could be reached between them. According to experts, Iran’s involvement in its ongoing conflict with the US is also affecting Yemen. In such a situation, the Yemeni government wants to retake areas controlled by the Houthis. The Houthis, meanwhile, want to further strengthen their grip along the Red Sea coast and around Bab al-Mandeb. This is why fighting has intensified around Mokha, Taiz and Hodeidah. Several fighters and civilians have been killed on both sides in the past few days. Thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes and move to other places. Saudi Arabia launched war against Houthis in 2015 After Hadi stepped down, no single government remained in control of Yemen. This raised security concerns in neighbouring Saudi Arabia because Iran was supporting the Houthis. Saudi Arabia therefore formed a military coalition with eight Arab countries in 2015 and launched a war against the Houthis. The coalition aimed to restore the internationally recognised government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power. After around eight years of fighting, Saudi Arabia realised that it was not possible to defeat the Houthis through military force alone. It then turned to negotiations and began direct contact with Houthi leaders. Today, the Houthis control large parts of northern Yemen. Southern Yemen is controlled by the internationally recognised government, but it remains heavily dependent on Saudi Arabia for economic and military support. ​