Houthis seize Mokha, Hays and Al Khawkhah as government forces fall back towards Bab el-Mandeb

Houthi forces captured the districts of Hays and Al Khawkhah in Hodeidah province and the town of Mokha in western Taiz province on September 10. The Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), the internationally recognised government, said its forces had retreated towards Dhubab district near the Bab el-Mandeb strait.

Later in the day there were reports that the Houthis had also seized the Hanish Islands in the Red Sea, amid unverified claims of fighting for Dhubab and Perim island.

An offensive from Taiz

The Houthis launched an offensive against PLC forces near Taiz on September 3; at least 129 people were killed in the first clashes, including 66 government soldiers, 62 Houthi fighters and one civilian.