France, Sept. 17 -- Houthi forces captured the strategic city of Mocha, as well as the nearby Hanish Islands and the island of Perim in the Red Sea, on 10 September, marking a turning point in the rebel group's war in Yemen.

Their gain also opens a new frontier for Iran, the Houthis' biggest outside supporter, as it gains a foothold in another important maritime chokepoint.

Mocha lies just north of the Bab el-Mandab Strait, the gateway between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The strait is an important shipping channel for vessels travelling between Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal.

Control of it allows the Houthis to threaten or pressure ships using the Red Sea route.

"They feel they have strangled the global economy and want to h...