Yemen government says repelled Houthi attack as missiles intercepted

Yemen’s civil war has escalated as Houthi forces press an advance along the Red Sea coast, reportedly capturing Mocha and nearby strategic islands and reaching the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Yemeni government forces said they repelled Houthi attacks and an attempted infiltration near key routes linking Taiz with Aden, securing a vital route for military supplies, civilian travel and commerce. An Associated Press account, citing officials and soldiers, said Iranian Revolutionary Guard advisers helped direct the coastal offensive and that divisions and disrupted communications among pro-government forces contributed to their retreat. The Houthi gains have heightened concerns over threats to regional shipping and Saudi oil exports and put further pressure on Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Separately, the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted six Houthi ballistic missiles aimed at Taif and Yanbu.