Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران
WHAT HAPPENED IN YEMEN OVER THE PAST 24 HOURS? On Wednesday, Saudi-backed Yemeni forces announced they had made significant achievements on the ground in the north and central desert areas and appeared to have broken through Houthi lines. But in reality, the Houthis simply repositioned their forces, giving up the open areas so they could take over the more important western coastline. By Thursday early morning, the Iranian-backed militia seized the strategic coastline and port city of Mocha, after government forces retreated en masse. And so, rather than an overwhelming blitz by the Saudi-backed forces, the sides essentially swapped territories, with the Houthis gaining the strategic coastline along the Red Sea. This will allow them to pose a more direct threat to shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, thus increasing the threat to Saudi Arabia. A former Yemeni Military official tells me that the boasting by Yemeni government forces yesterday was actually a cover for their losses on the coastline. "It's really bad," he says. The only way to turn the tide, he says, is for Saudi Arabia to get more involved and activate the Mecca Accord, throwing Turkey and Pakistan into the mix. Personally, I'm doubtful this will materialize, but time will tell. Stay tuned.
Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران
BREAKING: The Houthis have taken control of the Red Sea city of Mocha, marking a significant achievement for the Iranian-backed militia. Houthi forces have shared footage claiming they have entered Mocha.