Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces announced they have recaptured several towns near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. The offensive, supported by Saudi air power, follows recent Houthi advances in southwestern Yemen.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces stated on Monday that they have retook several areas near the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait from Iran-backed Houthi fighters. The operation marks a significant push by forces allied with Yemen’s internationally recognized government to reclaim territory in the region.
Yemeni officials reported that government forces captured the town of Dhubab, located north of the strait, as well as the nearby towns of Bab and Hadeid. The offensive began on Monday under air cover provided by a Saudi-led military coalition.
Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, the coalition spokesman, stated that about 100 fighter jets were supporting Yemeni government forces in the operation. According to al-Malki, hundreds of Houthi targets had been destroyed. The claims regarding the extent of the damage and the specific territorial control could not be immediately verified.
In response to the offensive, the Houthis attacked several locations in Saudi Arabia. According to a Reuters report, these attacks targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, an Aramco refinery in Rabigh, Abha International Airport, and a military base in Khamis Mushait.
The offensive was launched shortly after the Houthis claimed to have captured more territory in southwestern Yemen, including a key town, as they advanced toward Taiz, Yemen’s third-largest city. Sources from both sides told AFP that fighting in and around Yemen’s western Taiz province killed more than 70 people over the previous day.
Government sources reported that 34 government troops were killed, including 20 near the Taiz provincial border in neighboring Lahj province. Houthi military sources stated that 39 of their fighters were killed in fighting in Taiz and areas along the Lahj border.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Saudi-backed Yemeni government was expected to respond to Houthi advances. When asked whether the United States had assisted Saudi Arabia with the operation, Rubio stated that the two countries have a defense agreement but did not provide further details.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait is a critical chokepoint for global shipping, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Control over areas near this strait has significant implications for maritime security and international trade routes. The renewed intensity of fighting, involving direct attacks on Saudi infrastructure and substantial casualties on both sides, indicates a deepening of the conflict in Yemen.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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