On September 12, Yemeni government forces backed by Saudi Arabia reported striking Houthi fighters near Mokha, a strategic Red Sea city and port recently captured by the Houthis after a week-long offensive. The conflict has left over 500 people dead and displaced around 46,000 others since it began last week. Yemen’s government forces under Majed Abdullah al-Nazili claimed to have destroyed vehicles and weapons and killed several Houthi fighters in the area.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-12,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Houthis captured the Red Sea port city of Mokha, near Bab al-Mandeb Strait, on September 10-11, 2024, after a week-long offensive. The seizure intensified fighting along Yemen’s western coast, with government forces retaliating by launching airstrikes and artillery strikes against Houthi positions. Government spokesperson Majed Abdullah al-Nazili confirmed the Houthis' control over Mokha and surrounding areas, including key roads. This move gives the Houthis strategic leverage over a crucial shipping route that handles about 25% of daily petroleum shipments worldwide. The capture also threatens to isolate Gulf oil-producing countries from their main shipping routes through Bab al-Mandeb Strait, similar to Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Yemen’s internationally recognized government is struggling to counter this advance, with civilians in Mokha fleeing to Aden for safety.
Written for “Houthis Gain Red Sea Control” on 2026-09-12,
grounded in this article and the 19 other(s) covering the same event.
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Leaning score +0.35 for article 8165 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-12
Yemen government forces hit Houthis in strategic Red Sea city
asserted
forces → hit → city
Yemen’s Riyadh-backed government forces said on Sept 12 that they have struck Iran-allied Houthi fighters in the strategic Red Sea city of Mokha.
asserted
they → back → Mokha
Following a week-long offensive, the Houthis on Sept 11 captured Yemen’s Red Sea coast, cementing their hold on the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital artery for Saudi Arabian oil exports as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed amid the US-Iran war.
asserted
Strait → follow → war
“The armed forces destroyed vehicles and weapons and killed members of the Houthi terrorist militia backed by the Iranian regime” near the port of the city of Mokha, the government news agency Saba reported.
asserted
agency → destroy → Mokha
The spokesman for the Yemeni government forces, Majed Abdullah al-Nazili, said they have also struck the Houthis’ “vehicles and members” on the Mokha-Dhubab road, 11km from the city, according to Saba.
uncertain
they → say → Saba
Nazili said on Sept 11 they had begun shelling areas in Mokha, and called on citizens not to use the Taiz-Mokha and Mokha-Dhubab roads.
asserted
they → say → roads
The Houthis seized control of Mokha on Sept 10, with their attack driving many to flee to Aden, where the internationally recognised government is based.
asserted
government → seize → Aden
On Sept 11, Houthi media said two Saudi strikes hit Mokha’s airport, while a local official said the city’s seaport was hit by six missiles of unknown origin.
asserted
seaport → say → origin
The Houthi offensive, which started last week, has killed more than 500 people, according to sources on both sides.
uncertain
which → start → sides
It has also displaced about 46,000 people, the UN migration agency said on Sept 11.
asserted
agency → displace → Sept
It is part of renewed hostilities in Yemen’s civil war that began with the group’s takeover of the capital Sanaa in 2014.
asserted
that → renew → 2014
