Middle East latest: Houthi rebels reportedly enter Yemen’s strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have entered Yemen’s strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha, several residents said Thursday, which could bring them closer to targeting shipping through a critical waterway to the Red Sea.

The grim development in an increasingly volatile Middle East came as an Israeli strike killed at least four people in northern Gaza, including two children. And Israel warned Iran of a “powerful response” if Tehran attacks, threatening it could target Iran’s energy facilities in retaliation.

But the major news is reports that the Houthi rebels have entered the port city of Mokha, with two residents and three local doctors informing The Associated Press of the situation.

If confirmed, the development is significant because taking the city would put the Houthis closer to their goal of targeting shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb, a crucial waterway linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Mokha is about 80 kilometres from the strait.

Mokha long had been held by forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

A resident, Amin al-Mohammdi, said the Houthis entered Mokha and fanned out across intersections. All roads from the west coast leading to Mokha have been closed, and shops were shut, he said. Another resident, Mohamed Salem, reported seeing vehicles belonging to Houthi forces in the streets.

Three doctors told the AP they fled a hospital in Mokha after it was seized by the Houthis. The doctors spoke on condition of anonymity, citing fears for their safety. They said other residents were fleeing south, toward the city of Aden, which is controlled by the Saudi-backed forces.

The AP could not independently verify the claims.

The Houthis have fought a civil war with the country’s internationally recognized government that started in 2014. The fighting now threatens a fragile truce that took effect in 2022.

The Houthis recently made advances in the western province of Taiz, where Mokha is located, according to Ahmed al-Mawazi, a trooper with the Yemeni armed forces, and Abdel Kader al-Sharabi, a member of the Saudi-backed forces supporting the Yemeni government.

Both said the rebels had seized control of the al-Shaqira area, an important supply route connecting the city of Taiz, the provincial capital, and other inland areas to Yemen’s western coast.

Meanwhile, Yemeni government forces launched airstrikes targeting Houthi reinforcements west of Taiz, they added. Clashes also continued along Yemen’s western coast, particularly in the direction of the southern part of the key port city of Hodeida. The fighting has taken place near crucial supply routes.

Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah TV claimed that Saudi-backed forces launched 40 airstrikes in recent hours in Taiz, Jawf, Hodeida and Marib provinces. The AP couldn’t independently verify the claim. There was no immediate comment from the government forces.

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