Yemeni army rosters filled with 'ghost names,' leaving Mocha vulnerable to Houthi takeover - report

A CNN report reveals that Yemeni army battalions in Mocha were left unprepared for a Houthi takeover due to rosters filled with 'ghost names' of non-existent soldiers who received salaries, making the force appear much stronger than it was. Blame is split between Yemeni leaders, the US, and Saudi Arabia, with sources citing delayed decision-making and a lack of promised air support.

A CNN report published Saturday reveals that Yemeni army battalions stationed in the port city of Mocha were left largely unprepared to fend off a takeover by the Iran-backed Houthis on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The force's rosters were filled with 'ghost names' of soldiers that did not actually exist, who nonetheless received salaries, making the army appear much stronger than it was on paper. A Western source with knowledge of anti-Houthi operations told CNN the actual force was only around 20% of its apparent strength. Blame for the lack of military resistance is split between Yemeni leaders, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. One regional source described the fall of Mocha as 'a Saudi-American f*** up of epic proportions' caused by delayed decision-making by Washington and Riyadh. The source stated there was not one airstrike by Saudi support forces throughout the day of the attack, despite minute-by-minute updates. Another source said the Saudi military had been put on high alert weeks ago but failed to prepare, with key air command personnel allegedly not deployed. A senior Yemeni official said he had warned US Central Command (CENTCOM) repeatedly that the situation was becoming critical, but was assured that Saudi air support was coming, which did not materialize. CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper was in Saudi Arabia for coordination meetings on the day of the attack. DC-based analyst Mohammed al-Basha argued that internal divisions among Yemen's leadership, including a lack of political cohesion and united command and control, were to blame. He predicted the Houthis would continue pushing eastwards.