Houthis show captured US-made armoured vehicles VIDEO

Qatari broadcaster has published video footage showing vehicles captured by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement from forces of the Political and Military Council (PLC) after an unsuccessful withdrawal from the Moka-Haiz area.

The footage shows at least a dozen US-made MRAP armoured personnel carriers, as well as a larger number of NIMR AJBAN 440 light patrol vehicles manufactured in the UAE, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

On September 10, Houthis seized the strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha from Saudi-backed pro-government forces, according to military sources and residents.

The capture brings the Houthis to within about 75km of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key gateway for global trade between Asia and Europe. Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed and thousands displaced since the group launched an offensive in south-western Yemen a week ago.

The Houthis said Red Sea navigation remained safe but maintained a ban on Saudi-linked shipping. Saudi-led coalition forces have responded with air strikes on Houthi-held areas, while the Houthis have launched missiles and drones at targets in southern Saudi Arabia, including oil facilities.

The escalation has contributed to a rise in oil prices and further intensified the long-running conflict in Yemen.

By Aghakazim Guliyev