Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have captured the strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha. It is just 75 km from the Bab-el Mandeb Strait. The Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. It is counted among the most important maritime trade routes of the world. Fighting has been going on between Yemen forces and Houthi rebels for 9 days. After the capture of Mokha city, this is considered to be the biggest regional success of the Houthis in the last 4 years. Now Houthi rebels are moving towards Taiz city. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has sent a message to Iran through Pakistan asking it to stop the Houthis. A senior Iranian official responded by saying that Iran does not control the Houthis. Capture of Mokha strengthens Houthis’ hold Mokha had long been under the control of Yemen’s internationally recognized government. For the last 10 days, Houthi fighters were continuously advancing towards the western direction of Taiz. They also captured the Al-Shakira area lying on the way. This area is on an important route connecting Taiz city to the west coast. With its capture, the Houthis’ hold on this area became stronger. The Houthis already control Yemen’s capital Sanaa and the major Red Sea port Hodeida. The capture of Mokha has further strengthened the contact between the northern and western areas under their control. This is why the battle of Mokha is not being seen as just the capture of a port city. This may further strengthen the military and strategic position of the Houthis on the western coast of Yemen. Houthis come closer to Bab al-Mandeb, increased threat to ships After the capture of Mokha, Houthis have come closer to Bab al-Mandeb. They have also advanced towards the Hanish Islands in the Red Sea. The Dhubab and these islands in front of it are very close to the Bab el-Mandeb. Defense experts say that if the Houthis strengthen their hold in this area, it may become easier for them to keep an eye on the ships passing through the Red Sea and put pressure on them. Bab el-Mandeb is a narrow passage to the sea. It is not necessary to occupy a large area to pose a threat to ships passing through. That is, by gaining control over some nearby strategic areas, the Houthis can pose a threat to the ships. Pakistan said- Iran will not send army to help Saudi Houthi rebels while Saudi Arabia is supporting the Yemen government. Pakistan has currently ruled out military action amid Houthi attacks in Yemen. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said that there is no discussion currently on military action against the Houthis under the defense agreement with Saudi Arabia. He said, no such thing is under discussion right now. When the time comes, action will be taken as per the agreement. This statement of Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry comes after the statement given by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif a day earlier. Asif had said that if the conflict in Yemen reaches Saudi Arabia, then the defense agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey can be implemented. Under the defense agreement signed between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey on August 7, if any one country is attacked, the other two countries will help in its security. Why did the fighting in Yemen intensify again? The civil war in Yemen between the Houthis and the internationally recognized government started in 2014. In 2022, due to the efforts of the United Nations, a ceasefire was reached between the two sides. However, no permanent peace agreement could be reached between the two. According to experts, Iran’s involvement in the ongoing conflict with America is also affecting Yemen. In such a situation, the Yemen government wants to take back the areas occupied by Houthis. At the same time, the Houthis want to strengthen their hold along the Red Sea and around Bab al-Mandeb. This is the reason why fighting has now intensified around Mokha, Taiz and Hodeida. Many fighters and civilians from both sides have been killed in the last few days. Thousands of people have had to leave their homes and go to other places. Saudi started war against Houthi in 2015. After Hadi left the post, no single government has control over Yemen. Due to this, neighboring Saudi Arabia felt threatened because the Houthis were being supported by Iran. In such a situation, in 2015, Saudi formed a military alliance with eight Arab countries and started a war against the Houthis. The purpose of this alliance was to bring the internationally recognized government of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi back to power. After nearly eight years of fighting, Saudi Arabia understood that it was not possible to defeat the Houthis with military force alone. After this he adopted the path of negotiations and started direct contact with Houthi leaders. Today the Houthis control large parts of northern Yemen. Southern Yemen is under the control of an internationally recognized government, but is largely dependent on Saudi Arabia for economic and military help. The news is updating…
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हूती विद्रोहियों ने यमन के मोखा शहर पर कब्जा किया: यह बाब अल-मंदेब से सिर्फ 75km दूर, पाकिस्तान ने ईरान को चेतावनी दी
