Houthis extend control over Yemen’s Red Sea coast

The Houthis, a Yemeni resistance group, advanced on strategic positions on the Red Sea coast this Friday (11). They took control of the port city of Mocha on Thursday (10) and now extend their control over regions of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, one of the main routes for world maritime trade.

The chairman of the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council, Mahdi al-Mashat, called on members of government forces to hand over their weapons. According to him, those who abandon fighting will receive immunity from legal proceedings.

The offensive in Moca occurred quickly, with the withdrawal of government forces from the region. After taking control of the city, the group’s naval forces headed south. Four Yemeni government sources told Reuters that the Houthis reached the island of Perim, also known as Mayyun, located at the entrance to the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and, consequently, to the Indian Ocean.

In a statement, Hazem al-Assad, a member of the Houthi political bureau, assured the international community that commercial shipping continues to operate normally. “Freedom of navigation and international trade in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab are safe and under control. […] There is no reason for international concern as they do not face any danger from the Yemeni side,” he declared.

According to local reports, among the facilities taken during the offensive are Moca airport, naval installations and the Khalid ibn al-Walid military base, considered one of the main military structures in the region. Houthi forces would also have advanced on Al-Khokha and Dhubab, reports the Al Jazeera.

Saudi Arabia carries out air strikes

Saudi Arabia responded to the Houthi advance with air strikes in Moca. The Al-Masirah channel, linked to the movement, reported at least two bombings against the city’s airport. There were also reports of attacks against other positions occupied during the offensive and the possibility of a counteroffensive by government forces, which have Saudi support, remains open.

Second AxiosRiyadh attempted to obtain direct military support from the United States. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called President Donald Trump twice on Thursday (10). In the first conversation, he reported the Houthis’ advance on Moca and the withdrawal of Yemeni forces supported by Saudi Arabia.

Hours later, he called again, asking Washington to carry out attacks against the group. Second AxiosTrump refused the request. The United States does not intend to intervene directly, but will provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence information and data to select targets, according to sources heard by the newspaper.