Yemen Fighting Intensifies as Houthis Push Toward Red Sea Gateway

The Houthis are pushing toward Yemen's southwestern coast in an attempt to seize the gateway to the Red Sea, reopening one of the country's most dangerous fronts after a period of relative calm.

The Iran-backed movement, which controls Sanaa and much of Yemen, launched a ground offensive on Thursday against the Saudi Arabia-led coalition supporting the government in exile. No official casualty figures were released, but agencies citing military sources reported dozens of deaths on both sides. AFP counted 129 deaths by Friday, including civilians.

Shelling and artillery fire drove hundreds of families from Hodeidah and Mokha, two coastal cities held by opposing sides. Exchanges of fire, including rockets and drones, were reported in Taiz and Hodeidah provinces. The Houthis control the major western port of Hodeidah, while Saudi-led forces hold much of Yemen's southwestern tip, including Mokha near the strait.

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They are going for Bab al-Mandeb.

The immediate prize is the Bab el-Mandeb, where the Red Sea meets the Gulf of Aden and opens toward the Arabian Sea. The Houthis are targeting ports and elevated positions that could improve their control over the waterway. Its importance has grown as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz faces restrictions. The Houthis have declared a blockade on ships approaching Saudi Arabia's western coast, although their ability to enforce it remains limited. They have nevertheless fired on several commercial vessels, causing severe damage and deaths in some cases.

Fighting was particularly fierce around Mount al-Numan, which overlooks Mokha. Risk adviser Mohammed al-Basha told AFP, "They are going for Bab al-Mandeb." He said capturing the strait or Mokha port would give the Houthis greater leverage in negotiations with the government and Saudi Arabia.

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The Houthis feel that if they capture Bab al-Mandab or Mokha port they will be in a better position of power to negotiate with the government and the Saudis.