Yemen Govt Recaptures Mocha

Yemen government forces have retaken the strategic port city of Mocha, according to the military. The city was captured by Houthi rebels in a rapid offensive in September.

The military said fighting took place across several fronts near Mocha, leaving a number of Houthi fighters dead and wounded. Several Houthi fighters were also captured.

The government forces also claimed to have retaken control of key positions near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key route for global energy supplies. A strategic offensive has also been launched on Yemen's capital Sanaa.

The Houthis have controlled the Yemeni capital and much of Yemen's populous northwest since 2014. The government forces are backed by Saudi Arabia, which has been providing air support.

The Saudi-led military coalition said its fighter jets were providing round-the-clock air support to the pro-government forces and had destroyed hundreds of Houthi targets. The coalition has secured air protection of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

The Houthi spokesman, Mohammed Abdul Salam, said Saudi Arabia was committing dozens of massacres and that it must bear all the consequences. The Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Co-ordination Centre warned civilian airlines that Saudi airspace was no longer safe.

The Yemeni government announced the start of military operations to retake the remaining Houthi-held territories and restore state authority across the country. President Rashad Al-Alimi directed the armed and security forces to begin operations according to approved plans.