Houthis seize Yemen's strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha from Saudi-backed forces

Houthis capture Mokha, move closer to key Bab al-Mandab Strait Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis have seized the strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha from Saudi-backed pro-government forces, military sources and witnesses told the BBC.The capture brings the Houthis within 75km (46 miles) of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key gateway for global trade between Asia and Europe. The group said it posed no threat to international shipping but maintained its threat to target Saudi vessels.Mokha residents told the BBC that Houthi fighters entered the city after fierce clashes on Wednesday night, forcing many families to flee. Government offices and shops were closed on Thursday, with Houthi fighters reportedly patrolling the streets."The takeover came without warning. Panic spread throughout the area, forcing people to flee amid distressing scenes of injured people lying in the streets with no-one there to help them," one man told BBC Arabic's Middle East Lifeline programme.Another resident said: "At the moment, we don't know what Ansar Allah will do. Everyone is afraid for their safety."Many displaced families have been heading east towards Aden, where Yemen's internationally recognised government...