Yemeni government forces launched targeted air strikes against Houthi fighters along the Red Sea coast on Saturday following the group`s seizure of strategic shoreline positions, according to reports by Al Jazeera and Reuters. Clashes escalated sharply across several fronts in western Yemen, with military officials describing the confrontation as an existential defense of contested coastal territory.
Yemen’s official news agency, Saba, reported that armed forces destroyed military vehicles and neutralized fighters belonging to the group near the port city of Mocha.
Spokesperson Majed Abdullah al-Nazili confirmed that strikes targeted mobile units along the Mocha-Dhubab roadway, approximately 11 kilometers outside the city center. The territorial push follows the capture of Mocha on Thursday and Mayun Island on Friday, cementing rebel presence overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a crucial bottleneck for global maritime energy transit. The International Organization for Migration reported that escalating hostilities have displaced roughly 46,000 civilians, severely hindering the delivery of humanitarian relief across the corridor.
Regional infrastructure remains on high alert amid the territorial shifts.
Saudi Arabia temporarily suspended transit through its East-West crude pipeline following drone incursions that originated from Iraqi territory, where Baghdad has launched formal inquiries. While diplomatic reports indicated Riyadh previously discussed potential intervention with Washington, US officials noted that forces have avoided direct combat involvement. The commander of US Central Command arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday to conduct security consultations regarding maritime developments along the corridor.
