Yemen’s Houthis seize key city on Red Sea

Yemen descended back into war in July, after a period of relative peace, with over 500 people killed in fighting since the previous week. The Houthis, who control much of northwest Yemen, seized the vital Red Sea port city of Mocha on Thursday. Witnesses reported the fighters marching into the city, chanting "death to America, death to Israel."

The Houthis, who have control over large parts of Yemen, launched a major offensive against government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, last week. They also launched attacks on Saudi territory, leaving dozens injured. The conflict has reignited amid the ongoing Middle East war, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.

The Houthis, backed by Iran, advanced towards the Bab al-Mandab strait, a strategic waterway linking Asia to Europe via the Red Sea and Suez Canal. This advance could strengthen Houthi maritime coercion and highlight the importance of the strait in recent months due to the wider Middle East conflict. The Saudi-led coalition battling the Houthis reported airstrikes in southern Saudi cities, including Khamis Mushait and Abha, in response to Houthi missile and drone attacks.