Houthis advance on Yemen's Red Sea coast
Yemen's Houthi movement has released new footage showing its fighters amidst a significant military offensive. After years of calm, the group made rapid territorial gains along the Red Sea coast, seizing strategically important areas. These include the vital port city of Mokha, Hays, and Al-Khawkhah in Al-Hudaydah province. These advances shattered a de facto ceasefire, brokered by the UN in 2022, marking the Houthis' most substantial military push in nearly five years. Their control over these coastal regions brings them closer to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint for global shipping and energy trade. Concerns are rising about potential disruptions. Yemen's civil war, which began in 2014, pits the Houthi movement, controlling much of northern and western Yemen including Sanaa, against the internationally recognized government supported by a Saudi-led coalition. Intensified fighting has devastated civilians, worsening a severe humanitarian crisis. Over 130,000 people have been displaced since early September, adding to millions already internally displaced. The UN warns millions require urgent humanitarian assistance. Internationally, President Trump condemned Houthi expansion, citing threats to Bab al-Mandab Strait navigation. Despite this, Washington reportedly engaged in direct communication with the Houthis to prevent wider military intervention. The Houthis have also continued launching drone and missile strikes targeting Saudi Arabia, including oil facilities and airports.
