A strategic location on the Red Sea afforded the city centuries of trading dominance — and makes it a coveted target in today’s fighting in the Middle East.

Yemeni government airstrikes at the port and airport of Mokha in western Yemen targeted gatherings of Houthi forces on Friday, a government military source told dpa. "Warplanes targeted gatherings of

Yemen’s internationally recognized government said on Friday that its air force had begun strikes against Houthi positions within a previously declared

Hunger and disease have tormented Yemen for years. Now, fighting between the Saudi-backed government and Iran-backed Houthis is pushing it to the brink.

The Yemeni coastal city of Mokha has fallen to the Houthis for the first time since 2017. This development threatens international maritime navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait—located near the ports- prompting the head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council to warn that "protecting the Yemeni coast is a Yemeni,

Saudi Arabia has launched airstrikes on Mokha after Houthi forces captured the port city and strategic Mayun island near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The Iran-linked militants are advancing on the Red Sea coast following the capture of the strategic port of Mokha, bringing the group closer to full control of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

A Houthi official has declared full control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait following the reported seizure of Mokha (Mocha), raising fresh concerns over Red Sea shipping and regional security. The strategic waterway connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is vital to global maritime trade.