Houthis seize Yemen’s Mocha port, moving within about 80 km of Bab al-Mandab
The Map Moved · Friday, 11 September 2026
Why it matters
The territorial shift brings Houthi forces closer than before to the southern gateway of the Red Sea and Suez route, creating a new military position from which the group could affect maritime access. It also removes a major government-held coastal base and increases pressure on Saudi Arabia’s western shipping and security posture.
What happened
Houthi forces seized the Yemeni port city of Mocha on 10 September, while internationally recognised government forces withdrew south toward Dhubab and were ordered to regroup. Mocha’s capture gives the Houthis control of another position on Yemen’s western coast, about 80 km from the Bab al-Mandab Strait; it does not itself establish Houthi control of the strait. The Houthi-led Supreme Political Council said Red Sea navigation remained safe but maintained a ban on Saudi ships, while Yemen’s government called for international action to restore control of the coast.
Previously
9 Sep 2026 — Saudi authorities said Houthi missile and drone attacks on southern Saudi cities injured 73 civilians and caused fires at oil facilities that temporarily halted operations.(Saudi authorities via BBC News)
Sep 2026 — Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye finalized the Mecca Defence Alliance mutual defence pact, which Pakistan said could become operational if Houthi attacks on Saudi territory persisted.(The National)
Jul 2026 — Hostilities between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces resumed after the Houthis allowed an Iranian plane to land in defiance of Saudi control of Yemeni airspace and the government responded by striking Sanaa airport.(France 24)
2022 — Saudi Arabia and the Houthis agreed a truce that largely held and sharply reduced fighting between the Saudi-led coalition and Houthi forces.(NPR)
Players & places
- Yemen
- Saudi Arabia
- Mocha
- Houthis
- Bab al-Mandab Strait
- Presidential Leadership Council
Sources
- Yemen’s Houthis seize strategic Red Sea city of Mocha | Houthis News | Al Jazeeraaljazeera.com
- Yemen's Houthis reportedly seize strategic Red Sea port of Mokha - BBC Newsbbc.co.uk
- Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels seize strategic Red Sea port city of Mocha - France 24france24.com
- Houthis seize Yemen's Mokha port on the Red Sea as attacks on Saudi Arabia escalate | The Nationalthenationalnews.com
- Houthis capture Red Sea port city in push to seize Bab el-Mandeb | Euronewseuronews.com
- Iran-backed Houthi rebels seize strategic Red Sea port in Yemen : NPRnpr.org
- Houthis Seize Al-Mokha, Advance Toward Bab Al-Mandebsouth24.net