Houthi Forces Reportedly Capture Yemen's Red Sea Port of Mokha

Yemen's Houthi movement has taken control of the strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha, according to military sources and local witnesses. The city had previously been held by Saudi-backed forces loyal to Yemen's government.

With Mokha now under their control, the Iran-backed Houthis are reported to be roughly 75km (46 miles) from the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key passage connecting trade routes between Asia and Europe.

The group has stated it does not intend to threaten international shipping, though it has repeated warnings that it may target vessels linked to Saudi Arabia, which has increasingly depended on Red Sea routes for oil exports since the Strait of Hormuz was effectively shut off due to the war involving the US and Israel.

The intensifying conflict between the Houthis, Yemen's internationally recognised government and Saudi Arabia has been linked to a rise in global oil prices.

Since the Houthis began a military offensive in south-western Yemen a week ago, hundreds of people are believed to have died and thousands more have been displaced.

A Saudi-led military coalition has continued air strikes against Houthi-held areas in western Yemen to support government forces, while the Houthis have responded with missile and drone attacks on cities and oil infrastructure in southern Saudi Arabia.

Residents of Mokha said Houthi fighters entered the city following intense overnight fighting with pro-government forces on Wednesday, causing many families to flee their homes.