The Houthis conquer Mocha and threaten to control another key point of world trade

JerusalemThe Houthi rebels in Yemen took control this Thursday of Mocha, a strategic port on the Red Sea coast, and have advanced along the country's western maritime facade until reaching one of the most sensitive points in world trade: the Bab el-Mandeb strait, according to Yemeni military sources cited by Reuters. The strait, located between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is a key route for international trade and the transport of hydrocarbons. Control of the strait – or the ability of the Houthis, allies of Iran, to turn it into a high-risk zone for navigation – could add a new source of tension to an energy market already heavily conditioned by the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which began on February 28, and by the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.

Bab el-Mandeb and Hormuz are two different, but complementary, points in the maritime network that connects the major energy producers of the Gulf with world markets. Greater control by the Houthis over Bab el-Mandeb could allow Iran to exert simultaneous pressure on two essential routes for energy transport. The Strait of Hormuz is already heavily affected by the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran. In fact, this Wednesday only seven merchant ships transited through it, compared to an average of fourteen in the previous ten days, according to preliminary maritime tracking data from Kpler.

For now, the Houthis have assured that navigation through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb remains "safe and normal" and have presented their operations as a limited response to the conflict with Saudi Arabia. The group claims that these operations will cease when the blockade against Yemen ends.

A rapid offensive

The fall of Mocha comes after a Houthi offensive that has overturned the western front of Yemen in a few hours. First, the rebels have consolidated control of the province of Hodeidah, in the west of the country, and later they reached the port. Despite this, the internationally recognized Yemeni government has not yet officially confirmed the fall of Mocha. Witnesses cited by the Efe agency have reported that, at the time of the port's capture, government troops were in retreat towards the south. The Yemeni authorities maintain that the withdrawal of troops in the coastal area is part of a plan to reorganize forces and prepare a coordinated operation against Houthi positions. On the other hand, the rebels have also taken control of the islands of Zuqar, Hanish Major and Hanish Minor, located in the Hanish archipelago, after launching ballistic missile attacks from the mainland and sending fighters by sea, according to military sources cited by Efe.

This advance on Yemeni ground occurs after the escalation yesterday by the United States and Iran in the Gulf. Washington announced the destruction of five Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and near the island of Kharg, in an operation presented as retaliation for Tehran's alleged attempts to attack one of the United States Navy ships. In response to the sinking of the oil tankers, the ayatollahs launched "heavy missiles" against an American base in Jordan.

Joining this crossfire were the Houthis, who attacked oil facilities in the south of Saudi Arabia and caused several fires that forced Saudi Arabia to temporarily suspend part of its operations, as acknowledged by the Saudi Ministry of Energy. The attacks have contributed to pushing up the price of crude, which remains above 100 dollars a barrel.

The entry of the Houthis into the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran dates back to March 28, although the group has maintained limited participation. In July, the rebels declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia and during September they have intensified attacks against the south of the kingdom.