Houthis capture Red Sea port city of Mocha, Saudi Arabia launches airstrikes

Yemen’s Iran‑backed Houthi movement captured the Red Sea port city of Mocha on Thursday, marking a significant gain in its intensified campaign against the Saudi‑backed Yemeni government. The seizure of the strategic coastal hub, which lies on a key maritime route for international shipping, underscores the group’s expanding control in the southern part of the country.

In response, Saudi Arabia conducted dozens of airstrikes over the preceding 24 hours, targeting Houthi positions after the rebels launched attacks on Saudi territory that left dozens injured. The heightened fighting between the Houthis and Saudi‑supported forces raises concerns about further destabilisation of the region and the safety of Red Sea trade lanes.