MOCHA, YEMEN — On September 9, Yemen’s Houthi forces have captured the Red Sea port city of Mokha (Al-Makha) and made a rapid advance across parts of western Yemen, taking several strategically important locations from forces aligned with the internationally recognised Yemeni government.
The offensive has focused on western Taiz and southern Al-Hudaydah governorates, with Houthi forces advancing through several districts along the western coast. The territorial shift has included the capture of Hays, Al-Khawkhah, Al-Wazi'iyah, Mawza and the Khalid ibn al-Walid military camp.
Government forces and the National Resistance Forces led by Tariq Saleh reportedly withdrew or collapsed across a broad section of the front, with some forces falling back toward Aden.
The offensive ultimately reached Mokha, where Houthi forces seized control of the city and its main port and airport.
Mokha Falls to Houthi Forces
Mokha had remained under the control of government-aligned forces since early 2017 and had become an important base for Tariq Saleh’s National Resistance Forces.
The city is located on Yemen’s Red Sea coast and is strategically positioned near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a major maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. Mokha is roughly 60–75 kilometres north of the strait.
The capture therefore gives the Houthis control of an important coastal position closer to the Bab al-Mandab and international shipping routes.
The city and port had previously been used by forces supported by the United Arab Emirates before the UAE’s drawdown from Yemen. Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces subsequently maintained control of the area.
Wider Territorial Advance
The capture of Mokha came after Houthi forces expanded their offensive through western Taiz and southern Al-Hudaydah.
Houthi units captured Hays, followed by advances toward and through Al-Khawkhah, Al-Wazi'iyah and Mawza. The seizure of the Khalid ibn al-Walid military camp also removed another important government military position on the route toward the coast.
Government and National Resistance forces subsequently withdrew from several positions as the Houthi advance continued.
The scale of the offensive has been described as covering roughly 2,600 square kilometres of western Yemen, although the exact area under Houthi control remains subject to further verification.
Previous Attacks on Mokha Port
The ground offensive followed weeks of Houthi missile and drone attacks around Mokha.
In early August, Houthi forces launched multiple attacks involving ballistic missiles and drones against the city and its port. Yemeni military officials said one attack killed seven people, including four military personnel and three civilians, and wounded 30 others. Air defences were reported to have intercepted 11 drones.
Mokha port director Abdul Malik Al-Shara’bi later said the port had been struck by more than 25 missiles over several days, causing an estimated $16 million in direct losses. Commercial and maritime operations were suspended following the attacks.
The Houthis said the attacks were aimed at a military build-up involving weapons and warships belonging to Saudi-backed forces.
Strategic Importance of the Red Sea Coast
Mokha's location makes its capture significant for control of western Yemen. The city sits close to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, through which international shipping moves between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Houthi forces have previously carried out attacks affecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea region. Control of Mokha gives the group a stronger position along the western coastline and removes a major government and National Resistance Forces' military and logistical position in the area.
The latest offensive also represents a major change in the distribution of territory between the Houthis and government-aligned forces in western Yemen.
The situation remains developing as government and National Resistance forces reorganise after the withdrawals and Houthi forces consolidate their positions across the newly captured areas.
This is a developing story and may be updated as further verified information becomes available.
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