Houthi fighters battle Saudi-backed forces near Taiz after seizing Mokha port

September 28, 2026 at 02:16 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Houthi fighters are battling Saudi-backed pro-government forces near the Yemeni city of Taiz after seizing the strategic Red Sea port of Mokha on 10 September. The fighting has intensified as both sides prepare for a major offensive, with government forces reporting 18 soldiers killed in an area they cannot reach. The Houthi advance has raised fears over the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial shipping corridor linking Europe and Asia.

Key Facts

Houthi fighters seized the Red Sea port of Mokha, 85 km west of Taiz, on 10 September.
Government forces reported 18 soldiers killed in an area they could fire across but not reach.
The Houthi advance contributed to a rise in oil prices due to fears of supply disruption.
A resident named Ali sent his children to a displacement camp but stayed to protect his goats under mortar fire.

Front-Line Fighting

The front line in the mountains south-west of Taiz is difficult to define, with Saudi-backed pro-government forces battling to push back Houthi fighters. Houthi contacts said they are consolidating troops for a major offensive, while government forces said they are aware and preparing too. At the closest checkpoint to the front line, fighters who had just returned from positions high on the mountain said the bodies of 18 government soldiers lay in an area they could fire across but not reach. Homes are scattered across the slopes, but many stand abandoned after families fled the fighting.

Civilian Impact

Ali, a resident about 1 km from the front line, said two mortars landed on his property and he sent his children to a displacement camp because they could no longer cope with the shelling and gunfire. He stayed with his wife and sisters to look after their goats, saying he was terrified but had no choice because they would go hungry without the animals. Ali gave only his first name, fearful of repercussions if the Houthis take over the area in the days ahead.

Strategic Consequences

Fighting around Taiz intensified after the Houthis seized Mokha on 10 September, following the collapse of a ceasefire that had largely held for four years. The group took control of a swathe of territory overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial shipping corridor linking Europe and Asia. This contributed to a rise in oil prices as fears rose of further disruption to supplies from the region.