Houthi Rebels Seize Strategic Yemen Port, Threatening Global Shipping

Iran-backed Houthi rebels take over Mokha port in Yemen, disrupting Red Sea shipping routes and raising global energy concerns.

Editorial Desk

September 10, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Aden, Yemen — Iran-backed Houthi rebels have taken control of the strategic port city of Mokha in Yemen, marking a significant shift in the region’s ongoing conflict and posing new threats to international shipping through the Red Sea.

The capture of Mokha, located just 80 kilometers from the critical Bab el-Mandeb Strait, has raised alarms about the potential disruption of global trade. This waterway is essential for transporting approximately 12% of the world’s oil and other goods. The area has become even more crucial following recent disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

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Houthi officials confirmed the takeover, while Yemeni government forces reported seeing Houthi fighters throughout the city. Local residents described shuttered markets and closed roads, with many fleeing toward Aden. The situation could escalate into full-scale conflict, with serious implications for both Yemeni civilians and global energy supplies.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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