Houthi Attack on Yemen’s Mocha Port Kills 7, Injures 30

At least seven people were killed and 30 others wounded after Houthi forces launched a major attack on Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Mocha, according to the Yemeni military.

The military said in a statement early Monday that the fatalities included four members of the armed forces and three civilians. The attack reportedly struck military positions as well as civilian areas and infrastructure in Mocha, an important port city on Yemen’s western coast.

Yemeni air defence units responded to the assault and intercepted 11 Houthi drones involved in the operation, the military said. Authorities also accused the Houthis of targeting residential neighbourhoods, raising concerns over the impact of the fighting on civilians in the area.

Footage broadcast by Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV appeared to show several ballistic missiles and drones being launched as part of the attack.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said on Telegram that the operation targeted concentrations of Saudi troops and weapons storage facilities. His account of the intended targets differed from the Yemeni military’s statement, which said civilian infrastructure and residential districts were also hit.

The latest Houthi attack on Mocha comes amid persistent security concerns surrounding Yemen and the strategically important Red Sea region. Mocha lies along Yemen’s Red Sea coastline near major international shipping routes, making developments in the area closely watched amid broader regional tensions.

The reported use of ballistic missiles and drones also highlights the continued role of long-range weapons in Yemen’s conflict. Air defence systems have increasingly been used to counter drone and missile attacks as opposing forces seek to protect military installations, infrastructure and populated areas.

The Yemeni military did not immediately provide additional details about the condition of the 30 people injured or the full extent of damage caused by the strikes. The conflicting accounts from the military and the Houthis also left uncertainty over all the locations targeted during the attack.