Houthis intensify Yemen fighting as they seek access to Mocha and Bab al-Mandab

The Houthis have intensified fighting in western Taiz as they work to reach Mocha, a port city less than 50 miles from the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The push would bring the Iran-backed group closer to a chokepoint at the entrance to the Red Sea, one of the key passages for international shipping.

Col. Abdul Basit al-Baher, a Yemeni government army officer in the region, told The New York Times that fighting had intensified as Houthi forces attempted to advance toward the port. A second security official in Taiz, speaking anonymously, also confirmed heavy clashes and said the Houthis were trying to cut supply routes to Mocha.

The developments follow the Houthis' declaration in July of a blockade on Saudi oil tankers traveling through the Red Sea. The group has since launched missile and drone attacks against passing ships and Saudi facilities from northern Yemen. Yemeni analysts told the newspaper that access to Mocha would allow the Houthis to exert greater control over vessels passing through Bab al-Mandab.

Mocha Port itself came under repeated missile attack in early August. More than 25 missiles struck the port over several days, forcing it to suspend operations temporarily. The Houthis said they were targeting a Saudi-backed military buildup involving weapons and warships, and described the attacks as pre-emptive actions against what they said were preparations by Saudi and Yemeni governments for a ground offensive.

Until this week, most Houthi attacks had involved missiles and drones rather than major ground battles, according to The New York Times.

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The Houthis were attempting to cut off supply routes to Mocha.