Houthis escalate fighting in Yemen, eyeing control over Mocha Port, Bab al-Mandab Strait - report

Overview

Fighting has intensified around western Taiz as the Houthis attempted to reach Mocha, a port city less than 50 miles from the strait, Col. Abdul Basit al-Baher told the NYT.

Short history

The civil war in Yemen started in 2014 when the Houthis took Sanaa. Saudi-led forces began air strikes against them in March 2015. The Houthis have held the capital and much of the northwest since then. On September 5 2026 fighting increased around western Taiz. Houthis pushed toward Mocha port city on the Red Sea coast less than 50 miles from Bab al-Mandab Strait. Colonel Abdul Basit al-Baher gave that account to the New York Times.

Predictive model

Houthis pushed harder around western Taiz this week in an attempt to reach Mocha port. Col. Abdul Basit al-Baher told the New York Times the moves put them within 50 miles of Bab al-Mandab Strait. The push follows years of back-and-forth ground control in the area between Houthis and forces aligned with the recognized government. The fighting is likely to stay concentrated on the Taiz-Mocha corridor for the next several weeks. Observable indicators are continued Houthi ground advances, reported clashes, and statements from both sides about holding or taking positions. Next step would be either a Houthi attempt to seize Mocha itself or a counter-move by opposing forces to block the route to the port and strait. If the recognized government or coalition partners reinforce the western Taiz line with additional units or heavy equipment, the Houthi advance would slow or stall. Without that, the pressure on Mocha and the strait access route continues. This round of escalation in the corridor could run another one to three months before either side consolidates new ground or pauses for resupply.

Primary sources

↗Jerusalem Postindependent