Houthi Missile Attack Kills Four in Yemen’s Mocha
Yemen’s internationally recognised government has accused the Houthi movement of firing six ballistic missiles at the Red Sea port city of Mocha, killing at least four civilians and wounding eight others. The attack marks another escalation in fighting between the Iran-aligned Houthis and forces supporting Yemen’s Saudi-backed government.
Houthi Missiles Strike Yemen’s Mocha Port
The missiles struck Mocha on Friday, with Yemeni government forces saying civilian, economic and maritime facilities were targeted.
At least four civilians were reported killed, while eight others were wounded. Two sailors were also reported missing following the strikes.
Several fishing boats were destroyed or set ablaze during the attack, adding to damage around the strategically important Red Sea port.
Houthis Claim Military Targets in Mocha
The Houthis acknowledged carrying out the ballistic missile attack but disputed the government’s account of the intended targets.
The group said it had struck what it described as concentrations of weapons, warships and forces backed by Saudi Arabia in Mocha.
The conflicting claims could not immediately be independently reconciled.
Yemen Fighting Raises Regional Tensions
The latest attack comes amid a broader escalation in Yemen after years in which large-scale fighting had largely subsided following a UN-brokered truce in 2022.
Mocha has faced repeated missile and drone attacks in recent days, raising concerns that Yemen could return to sustained conflict.
The Houthis have also expanded attacks elsewhere in the region, including strikes targeting Saudi interests and commercial shipping around the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb.
Renewed hostilities threaten to further destabilise Yemen while adding pressure to one of the world’s most important maritime trade corridors.
