Yemeni military sources have revealed new Houthi military activities aimed at consolidating their presence in areas overlooking the southern Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. These developments coincide with separate visits by Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) experts to the city of Mokha and nearby locations, signaling an escalation of Iran's role in managing Houthi military capabilities following their capture of strategic areas on the western coast.
According to sources cited by Sky News Arabia, the Houthis have begun installing radar systems on mountainous terrain overlooking the southern Red Sea and establishing new military sites. The group has also reportedly reinforced its presence on Zaqar Island in the Red Sea. The aforementioned sources indicated that four Iranian experts arrived separately at Mokha's port and airport and the Bab al-Mandab region, where they met with Houthi military leaders involved in the missile force.
These maneuvers carry significant military implications beyond mere battlefield expansion. The deployment of radar systems on coastal highlands and islands enhances the group's ability to monitor maritime traffic. Furthermore, the specialized Iranian presence could provide technical support for Houthi missile capabilities, drones, and reconnaissance systems. These developments occur as the Houthis have strengthened their positions on the western coast after seizing Mokha and other areas leading towards the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Reuters reported, citing Yemeni, Iranian, and regional sources, that Iranian support, including weapons, funding, and tactical assistance from individuals linked to the IRGC, played a role in the Houthi takeover of Mokha. The Associated Press also noted that the Houthi control of Mokha and an island in the Bab al-Mandab area has increased risks to maritime navigation due to the region's strategic geographical location and its connection to a vital global shipping lane.
In parallel with land-based movements, media sources have indicated the continuation of maritime routes for transferring Iranian arms shipments, equipment, and experts to the Houthis. These routes reportedly originate from Iran's Bandar Abbas port, pass along the Somali coast, and reach Yemen's western coast. According to these sources, twelve sailing vessels have unloaded military cargo and transported experts to newly established docks in the far east of the Ras Isa peninsula, as part of efforts aimed at bolstering Houthi military capabilities.
Independent information confirming the details of these shipments or the number of experts transferred is not yet available, placing this information within the scope of media reports. The recent developments suggest that Houthi control over parts of the western coast is no longer limited to expanding ground control but is moving towards establishing a military infrastructure capable of monitoring and threatening maritime domains. The installation of radar systems and the establishment of military positions, coupled with the arrival of Iranian experts, heighten concerns that the coast near the Bab al-Mandab Strait could become an advanced platform for Houthi missile and reconnaissance capabilities.
