Yemen: Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council chairman, Rashad al-Alimi, has condemned the recent assault by the Iran-backed Houthi group on Mokha port, labeling it an 'extension of Iranian escalation' against economic facilities and maritime routes near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The attack on Sunday resulted in the deaths of at least seven people and injured 35 others, as drones and missiles targeted both the port and residential neighborhoods in the western part of Taiz province.

According to Anadolu Agency, Alimi expressed his concerns during a meeting with Neil Hope, the newly appointed US charg© d'affaires to Yemen. During this meeting, Alimi described the attack as evidence of the dangers posed by the presence of missiles, drones, and advanced weapons capabilities outside of state authority. He also briefed the US diplomat on the ongoing developments in Yemen.

Alimi highlighted that this incident follows recent Houthi assaults on armed forces positions, displacement camps, and civilian locations, as well as attempts to target vessels and national facilities. He accused the Houthis of conducting a systematic war on Yemen's resources, lifelines, and economic outlets, challenging their claims of being under blockade by pointing to their actions against ports, airports, and economic facilities.

Alimi called on the US and the international community to transition from merely containing the Houthi threat to addressing its sources and tools through political, economic, and diplomatic pressure on both the group and its backers. He emphasized the importance of strengthening the Yemeni government's capacity and reiterated support for diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and preventing wars in the region. However, he warned that agreements that do not tackle the military capabilities, financing, and regional threats posed by Iran-backed groups would only delay, rather than resolve, the crisis.

Mokha port, a significant Yemeni seaport located near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, remains under the control of Yemeni government forces. The recent attack follows a Houthi claim of striking the Saudi oil tanker Wafaa with ballistic missiles in the northern Red Sea, marking the eighth such attack on Saudi tankers since July 22, with 29 others reportedly prevented from passing or forced to retreat.

The conflict in Yemen, which had seen a relative lull since April 2022, has intensified along several fronts in recent weeks, resulting in numerous casualties on both sides. The war, ongoing for nearly 12 years, has seen government forces, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, battling the Iranian-backed Houthis who seized control of the capital Sanaa and significant portions of the country in 2014.