Fighting has intensified around western Taiz as the Houthis attempted to reach Mocha, a port city less than 50 miles from the strait, Col. Abdul Basit al-Baher told the NYT.

Fighting has intensified around western Taiz as the Houthis attempted to reach Mocha, a port city less than 50 miles from the strait, Col. Abdul Basit al-Baher told the NYT.

The Houthis could still threaten the key Bab al-Mandeb Strait at the entrance to the Red Sea to reduce pressure on Iran.