Houthi fighters in Yemen amid reports of the group’s expanded control (Img: File Photo)
Sana: Yemen’s Houthi rebels have made a major advance along the country’s Red Sea coastline after taking control of strategic areas, including Mokha, in a swift military operation.
The development has added a new dimension to Yemen’s long-running conflict and increased concerns over security around one of the world’s most important maritime routes.
The Red Sea region has remained highly sensitive due to its importance for international shipping and ongoing tensions between regional powers.
According to reports, Houthi fighters expanded their presence along the coastal belt within a short period, with Mokha emerging as a key point in the latest developments.
The city holds strategic importance because of its location near major shipping routes connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The advance has strengthened the Houthis’ position in Yemen’s coastal areas and created new challenges for forces opposing the group.
Reports have claimed that Iranian advisers supported the Houthi operation, bringing Tehran’s alleged role in Yemen’s conflict back into focus.
Iran has long been accused by regional opponents of providing support to the Houthis, while Tehran has denied claims of directly controlling the group’s military operations.
The relationship between Iran and the Houthis remains a major issue in the wider geopolitical tensions of West Asia.
The latest developments have raised concerns over the safety of the Red Sea shipping route, which is a crucial passage for global trade.
The nearby Bab al-Mandab Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as an important route for commercial vessels carrying goods and energy supplies.
Any increase in instability in the region could impact international shipping and fuel wider tensions.
The Houthi expansion comes amid Yemen’s prolonged conflict, which has involved multiple regional and international actors.
The latest offensive has once again pushed Yemen into the centre of global attention, with concerns growing over possible regional consequences and the humanitarian impact of continued instability.
