‘Like a battlefield’: How Yemen’s Mocha went from a town of fishermen to a city of fighters

Yemen's coastal city of Mocha, once a small fishing town, has transformed into a city of fighters. The historic city, located in the Taiz governorate, was once famous for exporting Yemeni coffee, but its Port was closed in 2015 due to the civil war between the Houthis and the internationally recognized government. It reopened in 2021 after being rehabilitated by the Republican Guard, a faction of Yemen's former elite military units.

Mocha's strategic position along the Red Sea has made it a target for Houthi attacks, with over 25 attacks in the past week alone. Many fighters fleeing Houthi-controlled areas have joined the Republican Guard in Mocha, drawn by higher salaries paid in Saudi Riyals. The city now hosts almost all essential services, largely because of the settled fighters and their families.

Ibrahim Salem, a 40-year-old former Houthi fighter, moved his family from Mocha to a safer village 100km away due to the increasing danger. Salem praised the village residents for their welcoming attitude and noted that many other fighters have also moved their families to rural areas in the Taiz and Lahj governorates. Despite the challenges, Salem's family adapted to village life as they originally come from a rural background.

Ramez, a 38-year-old Republican Guard fighter who joined two years ago, also moved his family to a village away from Mocha from day one. He highlighted that Mocha's reputation as a gathering hub for fighters made it a high-risk area for families. Salem acknowledged that Mocha has become a well-known destination for fighters escaping Houthi-controlled areas, but stressed that families should remain safe by staying away from the frontlines and targeted areas.