Houthis Seize Mokha Port as Red Sea Shipping Risks Rise
Houthis seize Mokha port in Yemen on Thursday, September 10, in a major development that could increase pressure on shipping through the Red Sea.
Iran-backed Houthi forces took control of the strategic port city, according to Houthi and Yemeni officials. Mokha sits about 80 kilometres from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital waterway linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
The takeover gives the Houthis greater leverage near one of the world’s key maritime chokepoints. The Bab el-Mandeb carries a significant share of global oil and commercial goods, making any disruption a concern for international trade and energy markets.
Why Mokha Port Matters?
The development comes as shipping through the nearby Strait of Hormuz remains heavily disrupted. This has increased the importance of alternative routes through the Red Sea.
Reports says that Houthi forces had also advanced toward the strategic Hanish Islands, further increasing concerns about control around the Bab el-Mandeb.
The latest escalation has already affected energy markets. Brent crude climbed above $100 a barrel on Thursday as traders reacted to growing risks around major shipping routes.
Yemeni government forces and their allies are responding to the Houthi advance, raising concerns that fighting could intensify along the Red Sea coast. Further disruption could affect shipping costs, delivery times and global energy supplies.
