Saudi Airstrikes Hit Mokha as Houthis Seize Red Sea Coast

Saudi-led coalition airstrikes on the strategic port city of Mokha killed at least six civilians, including two children and a woman, on September 22. The strikes are part of a broader effort to contain a Houthi offensive that saw the group capture Mokha and 5,400 square kilometers of western territory on September 10 and 11. This offensive shattered a yearslong truce and displaced approximately 125,000 people.

The Houthi Movement has consolidated control over the Bab el-Mandeb strait and imposed a blockade on Saudi oil carriers to pressure Riyadh into lifting its own long-term siege of Yemen. In retaliation, the Saudi Air Force launched hundreds of airstrikes across western Yemen, including targets in the Taiz and al-Jawf governorates. The Houthis responded by targeting Saudi air bases and launching missiles at Riyadh, while claiming to have downed a Saudi F-15 fighter jet.

International reactions are divided. G7 foreign ministers condemned Houthi attacks on shipping and urged Iran to stop arming the rebels. While British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and France have pledged limited military and infrastructure support to Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump has rebuffed requests for direct military intervention from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Yemeni leader Rashad al-Alimi. Reports indicate the Houthis may have agreed not to target U.S. assets. The instability, coupled with drone attacks on Saudi pipelines, has pushed Brent crude prices past $100 a barrel.