Houthis in Yemen: Offensive on the Red Sea Coast
Iran-backed Houthis captured a significant part of the Red Sea coast in September–October 2026, including the port of Mokha and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The fighting led to mass displacement, record hunger and rising oil prices. Government forces report major Houthi losses, and Saudi Arabia is intercepting ballistic missiles.
Sources
· 9Семьи из Йемена бегут из Эль-Хохи после захвата хуситами побережья Красного моря
1Армия Йемена заявила о 1540 потерях хуситов за сутки и закрыла переход в Таизе
2Саудовская Аравия перехватила три баллистические ракеты, в Йемене погибли 1540 хуситов
3В Йемене рекордный голод на фоне эскалации конфликта, сообщает ВПП
4Война в Йемене нарушила дороги и порты, переместив более 230 000 человек
5Хуситы захватили побережье Красного моря в Йемене, нефть достигла $110
6Хуситы обвинили Саудовскую Аравию в 26 ударах за сутки
7Хуситы вербуют детей на фоне эскалации боев в Йемене в 2026 году
8Конфликт в Йемене обостряется: хуситы усиливают контроль над побережьем Красного моря
9Key points
- On September 9, the Houthis captured the coastal city of Mokha and surrounding areas, forcing government troops to withdraw.
- The Yemeni Armed Forces said they killed or wounded 1,540 Houthis in 24 hours.
- The fighting on the southwestern coast forced nearly 150,000 people from their homes.
- On September 22, the UN reported that fighting in Taiz had displaced more than 230,000 people since mid-September.
- On October 3, Saudi Arabia intercepted three ballistic missiles targeting the country's southern areas.
What happened
On September 9, the Houthis captured the coastal city of Mokha, forcing government troops to withdraw. The advance allowed the Houthis to take control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Families from Al-Khokha fled their homes to escape the Houthi advance and sheltered in Mukalla. The Houthis captured almost the entire Red Sea coast in Yemen, including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait — a key node of world trade.
The Yemeni Armed Forces reported 474 attacks in 24 hours, resulting in 1,540 Houthis killed or wounded. Army spokesman Colonel Majed Abdallah al-Nazili said most of the losses occurred in Taiz province, where operations halted the Houthi advance. On October 3, Saudi Arabia intercepted three ballistic missiles targeting the country's southern areas.
Why it matters
The fighting on the southwestern coast forced nearly 150,000 people from their homes, disrupting markets and humanitarian access. The World Food Programme reported a record number of people in government-held areas who cannot meet their food needs. The escalation contributed to rising oil prices, which reached $110 per barrel on September 15.
Who's affected
In Taiz province, the army closed the Al-Huban crossing for security reasons. Debris from one of the intercepted missiles fell in Asir province, wounding a resident in Ahad Rafidah governorate. Families from Al-Khokha sheltered in Mukalla.
Previously
- The Houthis recruit children aged 16 and older for combat; 62 cases were documented in the second quarter of 2026.
- The Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of 26 strikes in a single day, while the weekly number of strikes reached 300.
- The Houthis captured Sanaa in 2014, leading to Saudi Arabia's military intervention.
Related original articles
- 2h agoСемьи из Йемена бегут из Эль-Хохи после захвата хуситами побережья Красного моряAl Jazeera English
- 4h agoАрмия Йемена заявила о 1540 потерях хуситов за сутки и закрыла переход в ТаизеAl Jazeera English
- 12h agoСаудовская Аравия перехватила три баллистические ракеты, в Йемене погибли 1540 хуситовAl Jazeera English
- 1d agoВ Йемене рекордный голод на фоне эскалации конфликта, сообщает ВППInternazionale
- 3d agoВойна в Йемене нарушила дороги и порты, переместив более 230 000 человекAl Jazeera English
- Sep 18Хуситы захватили побережье Красного моря в Йемене, нефть достигла $110RFE/RL Central Asia