Iran-backed Houthis storm crucial Red Sea port in lightning offensive

The Iran-backed Houthi movement, aka Ansarallah, stormed the Red Sea port city of Mokha on Thursday morning, marking a major breakthrough in the ongoing Yemeni Civil War and setting the stage for the consolidation of their control of the country.

The war has persisted for more than a decade, with the Houthis controlling much of the country's western territory, while competing factions backed by the UAE or Saudi Arabia have vied for dominance elsewhere. The UAE-backed South Transitional Council essentially evaporated in early 2026, leaving the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council to duke it out.

The Houthi offensive this week took not only the port city of Mokha, but the Red Sea islands of Zaqar and Al-Hanish, the port of Al Khawkah, and several contested areas. Video footage from Thursday morning showed Houthi forces reportedly entering the city.

Unverified reports have also claimed that the Houthis landed on Mayun island, which sits inside the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and offers a vantage point of the critical waterway.

The Houthis have, in recent years, attempted blockades of the Red Sea, to considerable success. The Iran-backed group has also conducted strikes on Israel and clashed with the U.S. Navy.

The port of Mokha is mostly known for the historical coffee trade and for giving its name to mocha coffee.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.