Yemen’s internationally recognized government says it has retaken the port city of Mocha and strategic positions near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis deny losing the coast, and the full extent of the government’s gains remains unverified. Houthi forces have meanwhile advanced around Taiz, threatening the road connecting the city to Aden.
The Saudi-led coalition said 100 fighter jets participated in the offensive and 324 targets were hit. Its naval forces also struck Houthi weapons depots, explosive boat storage facilities and naval mines in Hodeidah governorate. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said the naval operation thwarted planned attacks on waterways south of the Red Sea.