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Yemeni military retakes Mokha and secures Red Sea waterway in major offensive
Overview
Yemeni pro-government forces, backed by Saudi air support, have recaptured the Red Sea port city of Mokha and secured the Bab al-Mandab Strait as part of a newly launched offensive dubbed Operation Yemen Dawn to retake Houthi-held territory. The escalation follows months of rising conflict, including Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities and a breakdown of an informal ceasefire.
Key points
- Yemeni pro-government forces captured Mokha and secured the Bab al-Mandab Strait with the assistance of Saudi air strikes.
- The offensive, named Operation Yemen Dawn, was announced by the head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi.
- The Saudi-led coalition reported providing round-the-clock air support and destroying hundreds of targets.
- The Houthis retaliated by launching ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi Aramco oil facilities in Riyadh and Khurais.
- The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, displacement, and an impact on regional shipping and global oil prices.