Yemeni Government Claims Seizure of Strategic Areas Near Bab al-Mandeb Strait from Houthis
Yemen's internationally recognized government claims to have recaptured strategic Dhubab district and key positions near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait from Houthi forces.
Forces aligned with Yemen's internationally recognized government claim to have seized control of the strategically important Dhubab district and key positions near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait from Houthi rebels. This development follows the government's announcement of a major military operation against the Houthis.
The Saudi-backed Yemeni military stated that the "Homeland Shield Forces" and "Giants Brigades" conducted a large-scale military operation with air cover targeting Houthi positions and movements. During the operation, significant positions were reportedly captured, and supply lines leading to Bab al-Mandeb were cut off.
Highlights
- Yemeni government forces claim to have captured the Dhubab district and strategic points near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
- The operation is part of a major military offensive launched by the government against the Houthis.
- The Yemeni army reported that numerous Houthi fighters were killed and wounded, with military equipment destroyed or damaged during clashes.
- Officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are set to meet under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement to discuss the situation in Yemen.
Details
According to Yemen's official news agency Saba, an unnamed army source indicated that important positions were secured and supply routes to Bab al-Mandeb were severed. The source also claimed that a number of Houthi fighters were killed or wounded, and military equipment was destroyed or damaged. Earlier, a spokesman for Yemen's military stated they launched 1,122 attacks against Houthi sites, killing 1,747 Houthi fighters. However, Al Jazeera noted it could not independently verify these battlefield reports.
Yemen has been embroiled in conflict since the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014, forcing the government to retreat to Aden. The war escalated after a fragile truce, established in 2022, collapsed in July. In mid-September, the Houthis advanced across parts of western Yemen, but anti-Houthi forces have largely stabilized the front lines since then.
These military developments coincide with a meeting of senior officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey in Riyadh. Under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, these talks are expected to address a proposal for political engagement with the Iran-aligned Houthis as an alternative to military action, following an approach by Iran. The Pakistani Foreign Minister previously stated that these urgent talks would focus on this proposal.
Why it matters
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is a critical global shipping lane, making control of this region strategically vital in the Yemeni conflict. Concerns are rising that expanded military operations could worsen the humanitarian crisis. Diplomatic efforts by regional powers are therefore crucial. The upcoming talks could be pivotal for finding a political resolution to the decade-long conflict in Yemen, while the plight of civilians remains a significant concern.