Houthi rebels take port city of Mocha – Saudi Arabia announces countermeasures

After the capture of the strategically important Yemeni port city of Mocha by the Houthi rebels, Saudi Arabia has announced countermeasures. The kingdom will take all necessary steps to deter attacks by Iran-backed rebels, it said. Saudi Ambassador to the UN Abdulasis Alwasil reiterated at the UN Security Council his country's right to protect its territorial integrity in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.

The Houthis took Mocha on Thursday. This brings them closer to controlling an important access route to the Red Sea. The port city is around 80 kilometers from the Bab al-Mandab Strait. About twelve percent of the world's oil and other goods are shipped via the waterway between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The route to the Red Sea has become even more important for global energy supplies since Iran disrupted shipping traffic through the nearby Strait of Hormuz following attacks by the USA and Israel in February.

Trump is said to have rejected requests to attack Houthis

The UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, warned of the “harsh reality” of a return to war. At the emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, he spoke of a "new and more dangerous phase." If this development remains unchecked, its consequences would not be limited to Yemen.

According to a media report, Saudi Arabia is said to have also asked the USA for support against the Houthis. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed called Trump twice on Thursday and called for attacks on the Iran-backed Houthi militia, the news portal Axios reported, citing two US government officials. However, Trump rejected the request. The US government currently does not intend to take direct military action against the Houthis and wants to concentrate on the conflict with Iran. A statement from the USA and Saudi Arabia was initially not available.

More fights

According to the Axios report, the USA is concerned about the escalating conflict in Yemen and is expanding its support for Saudi Arabia. However, they wanted to avoid direct military involvement.

The Houthis joined the war on Iran's side in March and imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in July. In addition, the fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has recently escalated again. Saudi Arabia sounded several air alerts on Thursday in the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait because of militia attacks.