Houthis Clash for Red Sea Heights as Thousands Flee

In Yemen, Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed government forces are fighting over the Kahboub Mountains that overlook the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The clash has killed at least 674 people and displaced more than 158,000, while the Houthi leader accused the United States of considering military action. The…

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 22 Sep 2026 07:34:21 GMT

In the early hours of Monday, fierce fighting erupted on the Kahboub Mountains in Taiz and Lahj provinces, a strategic ridge that commands the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the nearby Mayyun Island. The battle pits Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, against Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces. The clash has added to a war that has already claimed at least 674 lives and forced more than 158,000 people to abandon their homes.

Strategic Heights and the Stakes of Control

The Kahboub Mountains are more than a geographic feature; they are a tactical fulcrum. From their high ground, forces can monitor maritime traffic through the world’s busiest chokepoint and threaten coastal ports such as Mocha. Control of the ridge would allow the Houthis to sever the southern coast from the rest of Yemen, tightening their grip on the country’s western flank.

Al Jazeera’s Maha Ali, reporting from Taiz, noted that the Houthis had recently captured Mocha’s port and Mayyun Island, and were now pressing forward into the mountains to secure their rear lines. “Kahboub is now the main battlefield,” Ali said, adding that the height’s oversight of Mayyun Island makes it a likely focal point for days to come.

Escalation and the Shadow of U.S. Involvement

The fighting comes amid reports that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has urged Washington to join the campaign against the Houthis. In a dramatic turn, the New York Times reported that President Donald Trump had prepared to launch air strikes on the Houthis on Sunday, only to cancel them at the last moment. The decision, according to the paper, reflected the U.S. administration’s reluctance to add another front to an already stretched military presence in the region.

Houthi leader Abdel‑Malik al‑Houthi warned that the United States was “considering a joint escalation with Saudi Arabia” and cautioned that the conflict would continue as long as Washington pursued “dominance over the Yemeni people.” His remarks came after the group claimed an attack on Riyadh, the Saudi capital, marking the first such claim since the latest flare‑up.

Humanitarian Toll and Displacement Crisis

According to the World Health Organization, since the start of hostilities on August 6, at least 674 people have been killed and nearly 3,000 injured. Between September 13 and 18 alone, 164 deaths and 516 injuries were recorded. The United Nations’ Executive Unit for the Management of Displaced Persons Camps reports that 158,000 people have fled their homes this month, with 23,550 families seeking shelter across eight governorates, including Aden, Hodeidah and Taiz.

The war’s impact on food security is dire. Yemen imports 90 percent of its food, and disruptions to ports and airports have left millions facing acute hunger. Carl Skau, acting executive director of the World Food Programme, warned that “tens of thousands” are arriving at already overstretched camps with nothing, underscoring the urgency of the crisis.

Current Military Actions and Civilian Casualties

Yemeni government forces reported striking Houthi fighters and supply lines near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and in al‑Bayda governorate, and shooting down a Houthi drone in southwestern Taiz. Major‑General Abdulaziz al‑Majidi, chief of staff of the Taiz military force, claimed that soldiers and allied tribal fighters had liberated several areas on the outskirts of Taiz after intense ground battles.

In contrast, the Houthis alleged that Saudi Arabia launched at least 157 air attacks across al‑Jawf, Taiz, Saada and Marib provinces on Monday, killing at least one civilian. An additional strike in Mocha late on Monday killed six civilians, including two children and a woman, according to Al Masirah TV, a Houthi‑affiliated outlet. Saudi Arabia has not issued a statement on the incidents.

What Comes Next?

With the Houthis pressing for control of the Kahboub Mountains and the United States reportedly weighing options, the conflict is poised to intensify. The United Nations’ special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, remains in contact with all parties, but the risk of further escalation remains high. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with displacement and food insecurity reaching record levels.

As the war drags on, the international community watches closely, aware that any new military intervention could reshape the balance of power in the region and deepen the suffering of Yemen’s civilian population.

Key facts

Houthis and Saudi-backed forces clash over Kahboub Mountains, a strategic ridge overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb Strait
At least 674 people killed and 158,000 displaced as fighting escalates
President Trump reportedly canceled U.S. air strikes on the Houthis, raising questions about U.S. involvement
Humanitarian crisis worsens with food insecurity hitting half the country
Saudi Arabia launched 157 air attacks, killing civilians, while Yemen’s government claims victories in Taiz

Why it matters

The battle for the Kahboub Mountains could give the Houthis a decisive advantage over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint, potentially altering regional security dynamics and exacerbating Yemen’s humanitarian crisis.

Frequently asked questions

What is the strategic importance of the Kahboub Mountains?

The mountains overlook the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and Mayyun Island, allowing forces to monitor and potentially control maritime traffic through one of the world’s busiest chokepoints.

Has the United States confirmed involvement in the Yemen conflict?

The U.S. has not officially confirmed direct military involvement; however, reports indicate that President Trump prepared to launch air strikes on the Houthis before canceling them.