Houthis escalate attacks on Yemen's west coast, targeting al-Mokha port

The Iran-backed Houthi group has intensified its offensive operations, launching missile and drone attacks against the al-Mokha port on Yemen's west coast. Government military sources reported that the assault claimed the lives of four soldiers and three civilians, with an additional 15 individuals sustaining injuries. Eleven Houthi drones were reportedly shot down during the operation.

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The Houthis are carrying out a 'systematic war' against Yemen’s vital economic facilities.

This escalation follows days of Houthi attacks targeting government forces in the Marib, Hadramawt, Shabwa, and Dhale regions. Yemeni sources indicated that Sunday's assault originated from Houthi-controlled areas overlooking Tihama and the west coast. Government forces, who were reportedly on alert, managed to limit casualties.

Local sources detailed that ballistic missiles were fired from the Houban region in eastern Taiz towards Mokha. A booby-trapped vessel was also deployed in an attempt to strike the port, while other reports suggest drone attacks hit civilian infrastructure within the port area, including employee housing. The Hodeidah governor also survived a separate Houthi attack on his residence.

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The Houthis are complaining about a siege against them, while still being able to carry out attacks on ports, airports and economic facilities, as well as threaten commercial vessels and food and energy supplies.

Mokha's strategic location on the west coast, near the vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait, makes it a critical international waterway. The attacks on the port are viewed not only as a threat to Yemen but also to global maritime security. Houthi actions also reportedly included cutting off internet and communication services in Hodeidah during their operations.

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Iran was behind the escalation.

Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, Chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, discussed the Mokha attack with US Charge d’Affaires Neil Hop. Al-Alimi characterized the Houthi actions as a "systematic war" against Yemen's economic infrastructure, highlighting the contradiction of Houthi complaints about a siege while simultaneously attacking ports and threatening supply lines. He asserted that Iran is behind the escalation and urged the US and international community to address the root cause of the Houthi threat, rather than merely containing it. Al-Alimi stressed the need for increased support for the Yemeni government to protect its territories and vital facilities.

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The problem does not lie in various separate crises, but one source that is using outlawed armed groups to achieve foreign goals.