Saudi Arabia launches two airstrikes on Mocha airport: Houthi media
- Saudi airstrikes hit Houthi-held Mocha as rebels solidify control over the critical Bab al-Mandab Strait
Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on the Houthi-controlled city of Mocha and its airport, following the Houthis' seizure of the strategic Red Sea port and Bab al-Mandab Strait.
- Saudi airstrikes on Houthi-controlled Mocha.
- Houthis' seizure of the strategic Red Sea port and Bab al-Mandab Strait.
- The strait's importance for global shipping and oil exports.
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia launched two airstrikes on Friday targeting the airport of the strategic city of Mocha, now under Houthi control, according to the Al-Masirah TV channel.
Yemen’s Houthis seized control of the Red Sea port city on Thursday after launching a major offensive against Yemeni government forces around the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
“The Saudi enemy launched two strikes on Mocha airport,” the Houthi TV channel said.
A local government official told AFP later that “six missiles targeted the Mocha port,” but he did not specify where they came from.
The Houthis seized a key island on Friday and appeared in control of land along the Yemeni side of the Bab al-Mandab, sealing their takeover of the vital artery for Saudi oil exports.
Hazem al-Assad from the Houthis’ politburo told Al-Araby al-Jadeed news outlet on Friday that “there is no cause for international concern” over free navigation through the strait.
The waterway, which links Asia to Europe via the Red Sea and Suez Canal, has gained importance as a transit route since the start of the wider Middle East war, which saw Iran blockade the Strait of Hormuz.
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