Houthis reach strategic coastal city, island at mouth of Bab al-Mandab Strait,

The Iranian-backed Houthi terror group took control of Mocha, a Yemeni port city on the Red Sea and less than 50 miles from the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Yemeni officials told Reuters on Thursday. 

The Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthi terror group reached the Red Sea islands of Hanish on Thursday, two military sources from the Yemeni government told Reuters.

In addition, three anti-Houthi Yemeni government officials also confirmed that Houthi forces took control of Mocha, a Yemeni port city on the Red Sea and less than 50 miles from the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Arab media outlets first reported that Yemeni government forces had withdrawn from the city on Thursday morning as the Houthis advanced, and online social media posts displayed photos and videos of Houthi fighters within the city.

The capture of Mocha represents a significant achievement for the Houthis, enabling them to deepen their control over the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab.

Anti-Houthi forces claim contingent sent to reinforce Mocha, reported clashes with Houthi navy

However, the National Resistance Front, a coalition of anti-Houthi forces led by former Houthi ally and senior member of the Yemeni government, Tareq Saleh, said that a force commander led a military contingent into Mocha on Thursday morning.

"Force reorganization and consolidation [of Mocha's defenses] are underway in coordination with the anti-Houthi coalition," NRF's official media outlet reported.

The NRF forces clashed with Houthi naval forces, the outlet added.

Houthis claim 'Red Sea operations are defensive'

Houthi spokesperson, Mohammed Abdulsalam, said later on Thursday that navigation and international trade in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb remained safe and regular, as fighting with Saudi-backed government forces intensified.

In a post on X, Abdulsalam said Yemen posed no threat to shipping and that ongoing Houthi operations were defensive and limited to previously announced targets. He stated that the operations would end once attacks on Yemen stopped and a blockade was lifted.