Iran directly directed operations as Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized key areas of the Red Sea, Reuters reported on the 10th (local time).

According to Yemeni government and Iranian sources, the Houthi rebels received direct commands from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as they advanced toward the strategic port city of Mokha that day.

Based on intercepted communications and statements from captured Houthi prisoners, Yemeni military sources believe the operation was overseen by senior Revolutionary Guard commander Abdul Reza Shahlai.

A regional diplomat also stated that several high-ranking Revolutionary Guard commanders recently traveled to Yemen to direct the Houthi attacks on the ground.

It is also known that Iran gave instructions for the Houthi rebels to expand their front lines toward the Red Sea coast.

According to Iranian sources, Iran promised additional funding and weapon support to the Houthi rebels, instructing them last week to step up the intensity of their attacks against Saudi Arabia.

They said that the Revolutionary Guard was able to move weapons and personnel both inside and outside Yemen even while the blockade on Houthi-controlled areas continued.

However, the specific methods of transport were not disclosed.

Earlier, just one month after declaring the end of a truce last month, the Houthi rebels captured the Red Sea stronghold port city of Mokha that day, and subsequently seized the strategic chokepoint of the Hanish Islands.

Mokha is a strategic stronghold located about 70 to 80 km north of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The Houthi rebels seizing control of this location means they have secured a bridgehead toward the strait.

If the rebels subsequently take control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, global maritime logistics could face significant pressure.

From Iran's perspective as well, the Houthi capture of Mokha has the effect of increasing pressure for rising oil prices and strengthening strategic leverage while imposing burdens on the United States and Saudi Arabia.

An Iranian official claimed to Reuters that "the advance on Mokha was a decision made by the Houthi rebels, not Iran," while adding that the operation ultimately proved beneficial to Iran.

The Yemeni government forces were also reported to have requested additional support from Saudi Arabia to counter the Houthi advance.

Two other Yemeni officials stated that when the Houthi advance on Mokha began last week, they requested additional military support from Saudi Arabia.

However, Saudi Arabia stopped short at providing limited weapons, logistics, and intelligence support.

Airstrikes conducted by Saudi Arabia were also limited, targeting the northern front rather than key Houthi strongholds such as Sana'a or major strategic assets like oil storage facilities.

Yemeni officials evaluated that Saudi Arabia is trying to avoid a full-scale escalation out of concern over large-scale Houthi drone attacks targeting its own territory.

Saudi Arabia has supported government forces in the Yemeni civil war, while Iran has long been known to provide funding and weapons to the Houthi rebels.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)