Reuters' information comes from sources within Yemen's internationally recognised government, which has long been at war with the Houthis. A military source confirmed the matter to AFP.
"If they take Mocha, they will control virtually the entire Red Sea coast of Yemen. That means it will be easier to control the Bab al-Mandab," security analyst Wolfgang Pusztai told Al Jazeera.
Bab al-Mandab, also called the "Gate to the Red Sea", has become increasingly important since traffic in the Strait of Hormuz was blocked because of the Iran war.
