SANAA, 13 September 2026 (TON): Houthi seizure of Mocha proved short-lived as pilots from Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) attacked many forward positions forcing the Houthis rebels to withdraw at least from three key points. Saturday’s reports from the occupation zone confirmed 28 Houthis were killed and 17 others injured. Complete withdrawal from a key strategic port has not been confirmed as Houthis presence was reported.
Meanwhile, the US-backed Peshmerga forces in Iraq who were seen assisting Houthis in Babul Mandus (Bab al-Mandeb) have repositioned. Saudi Arabia shut down a major pipeline after attacked by drones to limit oil flow.
Meanwhile, earlier reports said many villagers were ordered by advancing Houthis to vacate after making arrests and terrorizing them. Soon after the advance by Houthi forces in west local families were seen moving out of zone.
The Houthis are losing ground port city of Mocha as some reports suggest regain by the UN recognized Government forces but same was not admitted local Houthi commanders. Houthis' Supreme Revolutionary Committee has requested Tehran to initiate peace talks between Houthi and Saudi Arabia but the same has been turned down by Riyadh. Iran is expected to raise the issue at Monday’s Muscat meeting but it seems unlikely that Saudi leadership agree to talk and allow Houthis to be recognized as stakeholders in the Yemeni government. Many Muslim government are not likely to agree raising issue for new maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz, especially under pressure and rebellion in Yemen.