Field Developments in the Yemen War; Houthis Take Control of the Mokha Port

Houthis, recognized as the most significant military force in the Yemen war, have recently taken control of the Mokha port and its surrounding areas. This advance occurred on September 10, 2023, and indicates a weakness in the ranks of the opposing forces, which have been unable to effectively resist this group due to fragmentation and political disagreements.

The Yemen War and Involved Groups

The Yemen war has been ongoing since 2014 between the Houthis and a collection of their opposing forces. The Houthis, officially known as "Ansar Allah," overthrew the Yemeni government, which was supported by Saudi Arabia, by capturing Sana'a. This group now controls large parts of northern and western Yemen and has aligned itself with Iran as part of the "Axis of Resistance." In contrast, the anti-Houthi forces include the "Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen," "National Resistance Forces," "Southern Transitional Council," and "Islah Party," each operating independently of one another.

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Houthi Advance in Mokha

In recent days, the Houthis have successfully captured the Mokha port and its surrounding areas by utilizing surprise and military preparedness. This advance particularly occurred at a time when forces aligned with the Yemeni government have suffered defeats due to internal disagreements and lack of coordination. Control of the Mokha port, which is considered a strategic point on the Red Sea coast, allows the Houthis to gain greater dominance over the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the vital shipping routes.

Currently, the Houthis have significantly advanced by strengthening their military capabilities, especially in domestic weapon production and the development of missile and drone capabilities. In recent years, they have been able to withstand attacks from the Saudi-led coalition and have even launched numerous missile and drone attacks towards Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

These developments indicate that the Yemen war remains in a critical state, and despite past ceasefires, the risk of a return to widespread conflict is keenly felt. Forces aligned with the Yemeni government must overcome their internal disagreements and reach a common strategy to stand against the increasing power of the Houthis.

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