Story perspectives

Houthis seize Mokha as Saudi ties shift to Turkey, Pakistan

By Drooid · Sep 18, 2026, 10:00 PM UTC · How we work

Left

Eroded U.S. Security Trust

Houthi rebels seized the Yemeni port city of Mokha and nearby islands near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in early September 2026.
The United States’ refusal to intervene eroded Saudi confidence in U.S. security guarantees, prompting Riyadh to sign defense agreements with Pakistan and Turkey.
U.S. officials met Houthi leaders at the U.S. embassy in Muscat, Oman.
The fighting killed at least five people, including three children, in Saudi-Yemeni border areas.

Right

Pipeline Attack Spurs Prices

In early September 2026, Houthi rebels seized Yemen’s Red Sea coast, capturing the port city of Mokha and nearby Bab al-Mandeb islands.
The Houthis pledged to limit attacks to Saudi vessels, a promise the United States has not publicly challenged.
They advanced along Yemen’s western coast, seizing towns and offshore islands held by Saudi-aligned forces.
The attack on a Saudi oil pipeline lifted crude prices amid Red Sea closure fears.

Blindspot

Saudi officials said the United States’ decision not to intervene weakened confidence in U.S. security guarantees and pushed Riyadh to seek new defense partners, leading Saudi Arabia to sign defense agreements with Pakistan and Turkey.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Right-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

In 1979 the Iranian Revolution and the 444-day U.S. embassy hostage crisis led the United States to withdraw Gulf forces and freeze about $11 billion of Iranian assets, while OPEC output slipped roughly 4 percent. Saudi Arabia, the swing oil producer, began doubting U.S. security guarantees and later sought defense partners such as Pakistan and Turkey. The September 2026 Houthi capture of Mokha reflects that same diversification shift.

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Eroded U.S. Security Trust

Houthi rebels seized the Yemeni port city of Mokha and nearby islands near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in early September 2026.
The United States’ refusal to intervene eroded Saudi confidence in U.S. security guarantees, prompting Riyadh to sign defense agreements with Pakistan and Turkey.
U.S. officials met Houthi leaders at the U.S. embassy in Muscat, Oman.
The fighting killed at least five people, including three children, in Saudi-Yemeni border areas.

1 / 4