Yemen and the Red Sea

Houthis hold Mokha–Dhubab–Mayyun littoral and command Bab el-Mandeb channels after September offensive

This version is a correction.

ATTACK
Location
Mokha–Dhubab–Mayyun/Perim–Zuqar–Hanish littoral and Bab el-Mandeb approaches, SW Yemen (JMIC 100 control area; corridor cited in copy, not as geometry ref)
Actors
Houthis · Yemen (internationally recognized government) · Saudi Arabia
Importance
Major

From about 3 September 2026, Iran-backed Houthi forces launched a major ground offensive that isolated and then took the government-held Red Sea port of Mokha (Mocha) on 10 September, followed by Dhubab, Mayyun/Perim, Zuqar and the Hanish islands (10–12 September). JMIC Advisory Note Update 100 (ICOD 27 Sep 2026 1500 UTC) states Houthi forces remain in control of Mocha, Dhubab, Mayun/Perim, Zuqar and the Hanish islands, commanding both Bab el-Mandeb channels after those seizures; Southern Red Sea traffic remains below the 20 July Houthi selective embargo with no confirmed shipping attacks in the Update 100 window. Al-Masirah later (28 Sep) claimed uncontested journalist access inside the UAE-built Mayyun air base (unverified). Early-offensive AFP tallies (>300 fighters + some civilians from Thursday; >140 Sat midday–Sun dawn) and the Taiz–Mokha road-cut claim remain as previously sourced party/AFP figures from the opening week — not a new body count. Standing reframed from ‘aims to isolate Mokha’ to achieved Bab littoral/island control.

Why it matters

Standing Mokha/Bab offensive was still framed as an aims/ongoing push while discrete capture events and JMIC 100 already record Houthi control of the Bab littoral — revise closes the stale-status map gap without duplicating live capture events.

  • Fatalities: Low 300 · Best 300 · Confidence: Estimated · Evidence: Toll from Yemen clashes passes 300 as civilians flee homes, More than 120 killed in Yemen's worst clashes in years: sources · AFP tally: more than 300 fighters (+ some civilians) killed since Thursday Houthi assault; earlier France 24/AFP >120. Not an independently verified body count—AFP compilation from military/medical sources both sides.
  • Fatalities: Low 140 · Best 140 · Confidence: Unknown · Evidence: Toll from Yemen clashes passes 300 as civilians flee homes · AFP: >140 killed Sat midday–Sun dawn; party claims 84 government troops (two gov military officials) and 57 Houthi fighters (four Houthi military sources).
  • Displaced people: Best 1790 households · Confidence: Estimated · Evidence: Toll from Yemen clashes passes 300 as civilians flee homes · OCHA via AFP Friday: estimated 1,790 households displaced after intense shelling and clashes in Maqbanah and Jabal Habashi (Taiz).

Verification: Confirmed

Evidence: More than 120 killed in Yemen's worst clashes in years: sources, Toll from Yemen clashes passes 300 as civilians flee homes, Yemen government launches own air attacks on Houthis: What that means, How significant are the Yemeni government's military gains against Houthis?, JMIC Advisory Note Update 100 (27 September 2026) — Southern Red Sea & Bab el Mandeb, Yemen’s Houthis seize strategic Red Sea city of Mocha, Reports: Houthis Claim Access to UAE Mayyun Base at Bab el-Mandeb

CONFIRMED territorial outcome via JMIC Update 100 (Houthi control of Mocha/Dhubab/Mayyun/Perim/Zuqar/Hanish; both Bab channels) plus live catalog capture events and Al Jazeera Mocha reporting. Early AFP casualty tallies and road-cut claims retained as previously framed. Mayyun air-base interior footage remains UNVERIFIED (Al-Masirah via Hamer).