Houthi rebels reach strategic port city in Yemen and other Mideast developments

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have entered Yemen's strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha, according to two residents, which could bring the rebels closer to targeting shipping through a critical waterway to the Red Sea.Separately, an Israeli strike killed at least four people in northern Gaza, including two children. And Israel warned Iran of a “powerful response” if Tehran attacks, threatening it could target Iran’s energy facilities in retaliation.Here’s a look at the latest news in the Middle East. Full coverage can be found here.Yemen's Houthi rebels enter strategic port city, residents sayHouthi rebels have entered Yemen's strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha, two residents told The Associated Press on Thursday.If confirmed, the development is significant because taking the city would put the Houthis closer to their goal of targeting shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb, a crucial waterway linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.

Mokha is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the strait.Mokha long had been held by forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government.A resident, Amin al-Mohammdi, said the Houthis entered Mokha and fanned out across intersections. All roads from the west coast leading to Mokha have been closed, and shops were shut, he said. Another resident, Mohamed Salem, reported seeing vehicles belonging to Houthi forces in the streets.The AP couldn’t independently verify the claims.— By Ahmed Haj in Aden, YemenHouthis make advances in the western Taiz provinceThe Houthis have fought a civil war with the country's internationally recognized government that started in 2014.

The fighting now threatens a fragile truce that took effect in 2022.The Houthis recently made advances in the western province of Taiz, where Mokha is located, according to Ahmed al-Mawazi, a trooper with the Yemeni armed forces, and Abdel Kader al-Sharabi, a member of the Saudi-backed forces supporting the Yemeni government.Both said the rebels had seized control of the al-Shaqira area, an important supply route connecting the city of Taiz, the provincial capital, and other inland areas to Yemen’s western coast.Meanwhile, Yemeni government forces launched airstrikes targeting Houthi reinforcements west of Taiz, they added. Clashes also continued along Yemen’s western coast, particularly in the direction of the southern part of the key po…