Yemen Fighting Escalates as Houthis Advance

Fighting in Yemen has intensified, with Houthi forces reportedly capturing the Red Sea port of Mokha and nearby strategic territory as government-aligned forces counterattack in Taiz and along the coast. The Houthis claim missile and drone attacks on Saudi military facilities near Khamis Mushait, while Saudi authorities reported incoming projectiles that injured two people and damaged buildings; the claims have not been independently verified. Saudi Arabia has conducted extensive airstrikes in Yemen, according to Houthi and government sources, while Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the escalation with the head of U.S. Central Command. The United States has declined direct military action but is providing Saudi Arabia with intelligence, geospatial targeting assistance and battlefield information, with more than 100 U.S. advisers reportedly deployed there. Houthi mobilization toward Marib, a major oil- and gas-producing region, remains possible, while the conflict has displaced more than 80,000 people since September and threatens regional stability, Red Sea shipping and global oil supplies.