The Houthi movement has captured the port city of Al-Mukha in western Yemen, along with the towns of Hays, Al-Khawkha, and Yakhtul, according to reports monitored by the Zioneer Intelligence Desk. The advance brings the Houthis closer to the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait and follows the capture of over 2,000 square kilometers of territory in the past 24 hours.
The Houthi movement has captured the port city of Al-Mukha – the largest population center on Yemen's Red Sea coast – along with the town of Yakhtul, according to reports monitored by The Zioneer Intelligence Desk. The advance, reported in the past hour, expands on gains earlier today and places the group within striking distance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
At 04:31 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported the Houthi capture of the port city of al-Mokha (Mocha) and the towns of Hays and Al-Khawkha, bringing over 2,000 square kilometers under their control in 24 hours. The reports, initially from Abu Ali Express, were later corroborated by additional sources. By 07:11 Jerusalem, The Zioneer detailed the capture of Hays and Al-Khawkha specifically. The latest update adds Yakhtul and confirms the Houthi hold on Al-Mukha.
The Houthi prime minister, Mahdi al-Mashat, issued an amnesty offer to forces loyal to the Saudi-backed government who lay down their arms. Saudi Arabia conducted 70 airstrikes overnight but failed to halt the Houthi momentum, according to the same reports. The loss of Al-Mukha cuts off the city of Ta'izz from sea access and brings Houthi anti-ship missile batteries closer to the critical shipping lane through which a significant portion of global maritime trade transits, as The Zioneer has previously reported.
The status of the city of Ta'izz and the coastal town of Dhubab remains unclear, as does the response of the internationally recognized government to the Houthi amnesty offer.
10 developments
- DevelopingHouthis and IRGC capture western Yemen coast, seize Az-Zubab, advance toward Bab el-Mandeb
- DevelopingHouthis seize Hanish Islands group, tightening grip on Red Sea shipping lanes
- StrongHouthi capture of Bab el-Mandeb coast could enable full strait blockade, The Zioneer assesses
- StrongHouthis declared naval siege on Bab el-Mandeb last week, sparking Saudi confrontation
Source and signal
- Open-source intake