On Sunday, August 10th, 2026, Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels attacked the Red Sea port city of Mocha, a government-held area, resulting in the deaths of seven people, including military personnel and civilians, and wounding 30 others. The Yemeni military reported that the attacks targeted both civilian infrastructure and armed forces, including residential neighborhoods in Mocha.

Air defenses intercepted and shot down 11 Houthi drones involved in the assault. Footage broadcast by Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV showed the launch of several ballistic missiles and drones. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated on Telegram that the strikes targeted Saudi troop concentrations and weapons depots.

This attack is part of one of the largest waves of Houthi strikes on Yemeni military positions and Saudi-backed government areas since a 2022 truce. Last month, the Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, citing a Saudi siege on them in Yemen—a claim denied by Riyadh, which supports Yemen's internationally recognized government.

Additionally, the Yemeni rebel group claimed responsibility for an attack on Saudi Aramco's Jazan refinery on Sunday, occurring two days after Saudi Arabia signed a defense pact with Sunni Muslim allies Turkey and Pakistan amid escalating regional instability linked to the US-Israeli conflict with Shiite Iran. The Saudi energy ministry confirmed a fire at the refinery was extinguished with no injuries and did not disclose the cause.

Sources