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Houthis seize Mocha, threatening Bab el-Mandeb shipping lane

By Drooid · Sep 12, 2026, 6:19 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Houthi militants seized the historic port city of Mocha on Thursday, gaining leverage over Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
They also launched attacks on the Red Sea islands of Hanish and Zaqar on Thursday.
Yemeni government forces and allies began moving south to Dhubab opposite Perim Island to contest the strait.
The Mocha capture and island attacks threaten global energy supplies by endangering the Bab el-Mandeb shipping lane.

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Story summary

Houthi militants seized the historic port city of Mocha on Thursday, gaining leverage over Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
They also launched attacks on the Red Sea islands of Hanish and Zaqar on Thursday.
Yemeni government forces and allies began moving south to Dhubab opposite Perim Island to contest the strait.
The Mocha capture and island attacks threaten global energy supplies by endangering the Bab el-Mandeb shipping lane.