'Support never came': How Houthis caught Saudi forces off guard in 'lightning' strike

Yemen's strategically significant Red Sea port of Mocha was taken by Iran-backed Houthi forces in a swift offensive, according to CNN. The city's defenders had requested Saudi air support amidst the intense fighting, but it never materialized, as reported by CNN. A Yemeni source involved in Mocha's defense stated that the Houthis had deployed all their resources, including numerous fighters, ballistic missiles, and other weapons to carry out the assault.

When Yemeni commanders reached out to US Central Command (CENTCOM), they were told that Washington was monitoring the situation and that Saudi air support would arrive. However, the promised aid never arrived, and Mocha fell into Houthi hands. CNN correspondent Nic Robertson noted that communications with commanders inside Mocha were disrupted during the fighting.

By the end of the day, Yemen's information minister confirmed that Houthi forces had taken control of the city. The rapid offensive has raised concerns about the readiness of Saudi-backed Yemeni forces and the level of military assistance provided by Riyadh and Washington amidst the expanding conflict. The Houthi advance continued beyond Mocha, as they swiftly seized Perim Island, a strategic location at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, on Friday.

This development grants the Houthis control over two critical positions near one of the world's most vital shipping routes. Mocha is located near the narrowest part of the Bab el-Mandeb, while Perim is situated within the strait itself. CNN reported that the path south from Mocha to Perim is mainly flat desert with few major settlements or defensive positions, making it challenging for government forces to impede a swift Houthi advance.

The Houthis could utilize their newly acquired coastal position to deploy boats, including unmanned explosive vessels, against shipping. The offensive is occurring as Saudi Arabia experiences increasing pressure from the wider regional conflict, with Houthi attacks on Saudi targets becoming more frequent and oil export routes facing disruptions.

For Saudi Arabia, the loss of Mocha and Perim could hinder an alternative route for oil shipments, as the Strait of Hormuz has already been affected by Iran's actions, impacting Gulf energy exports. The latest Houthi gains signify a significant escalation in a conflict that had been largely stagnant for years, introducing a new front in the ongoing confrontation between Iran and the United States.