Yemen's Houthi rebels are preparing a major military operation to seize territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with nearly 2,000 fighters and rocket launchers deployed along the western coast in Taiz and Hodeida provinces, according to Houthi military sources and Yemeni government officials.
Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani accused the militias of seeking control of the strategic strait and Red Sea islands, while Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group has attacked eight Saudi oil tankers and blocked 48 others since announcing a naval blockade on July 20. Saree also claimed the destruction of two landing ships and more than 10 military boats near Mocha, without providing evidence.
The escalation follows the collapse of a 2022 ceasefire, with Houthi attacks on government-held positions intensifying last month after Monday's strike on a Saudi vessel off Mocha.