Yemen's Houthis reportedly seize strategic Red Sea port of Mokha

Six Gulf states, representing the Gulf Cooperation Council, strongly denounced Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, warning that the ongoing assaults pose a direct threat to regional security, according to a UN Security Council emergency meeting. Bahrain's UN ambassador, Jamal Alrowaiei, spoke on behalf of the GCC members, which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

The council members expressed their concern over the Houthis' threats to maritime security and freedom of navigation, deeming these actions a "blatant challenge" to the international community, which endangers ships, their crews, and global trade.

The Houthis seized Yemen's strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha on Thursday, located approximately 80 kilometers from the crucial Bab Al Mandeb strait. This vital sea passage connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with its significance amplified as shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is currently restricted due to Iran's conflict with the US and Israel.

UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, cautioned the Security Council that Yemen and the region face the risk of descending into another prolonged war and regional conflict following more than four years of relative calm. Grundberg emphasized that this renewed war marks the end of the relative peace that has persisted for over four years since the UN-brokered truce.

He highlighted that the situation remains fluid, and the attacks have generated serious international concerns regarding freedom of navigation. Grundberg stressed that the international community must no longer question whether Yemen's war will resume but instead focus on addressing the more dangerous phase that could have consequences beyond Yemen's borders if left unchecked. He urged the council to remain attentive to Yemen and invest active efforts to prevent a more dangerous conflict from unfolding.