Yemen gov’t forces advance in Taiz as Houthis claim attack on Saudi Arabia
Yemen’s internationally recognized government forces have made gains in western Taiz, pushing back Houthi fighters after a recent offensive. Meanwhile, the Houthis claim to have struck Saudi military installations with missiles and drones, prompting Saudi air strikes and heightened tensions. The fi…
In the latest flare‑up of Yemen’s decade‑long civil war, government‑aligned troops have pushed into western Taiz after successfully repelling a Houthi offensive. The advance comes as the Houthis—also known as Ansar Allah—claim to have launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi military sites, prompting a Saudi response of air strikes across Yemen.
Government Gains in Taiz
Al Jazeera Arabic’s Yasser Hassan reported that Saudi‑backed Yemeni forces advanced on Sunday in western Taiz, a southwestern province that has been a contested battleground for months. The troops reportedly retook key positions from Houthi fighters and are now moving deeper into the province. The push is part of a broader strategy to regain control over strategic coastal areas and to secure supply routes that the Houthis have been targeting.
According to Hassan, the advance was supported by air strikes that targeted Houthi gathering points along the west coast, including the port towns of Mocha and Dhubab. The air force reportedly continued to bomb Houthi positions in the surrounding region, aiming to blunt further offensives.
Houthis Claim Attacks on Saudi Arabia
In a statement released on Monday, the Houthis announced that they had launched dozens of ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi military facilities. The targets reportedly included aircraft hangars, radar installations, runways, ammunition depots, and the King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait. The group said the attacks were a retaliation for a Saudi offensive that involved more than 300 air strikes across Yemen over five days.
Saudi Arabia has yet to issue an official comment on the Houthi claims. However, the Saudi civil defence agency issued alerts for the city of Abha and the surrounding region of Khamis Mushait on Sunday, only to lift them shortly thereafter. This suggests a heightened sense of threat, even if the exact scale of the Houthi attacks remains unverified.
Broader Context: A Fragile Truce at Risk
The fighting has reignited a conflict that had been largely dormant after a United Nations‑brokered truce in 2022. The Houthis had declared a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia in July and began targeting Saudi shipping in the Red Sea. The blockade and subsequent attacks on Saudi oil facilities have drawn international attention and raised concerns about the security of one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.
Last week, the Houthis captured parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and fortified their position at the Bab al‑Mandeb strait, which handles roughly 12 percent of global trade, including 11 percent of maritime oil and 8 percent of liquefied natural gas. The strategic islands of Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish, located about 86 nautical miles north of the strait, were also reported to be under Houthi control. These moves threaten the flow of goods through a key maritime corridor that has already been strained by Iranian naval activity near the Strait of Hormuz.
Humanitarian Impact and Displacement
The International Organization for Migration reported that the recent weeks of fighting have displaced nearly 86,000 Yemenis. More than 2,000 of those displaced have fled to neighboring Djibouti, seeking safety from the escalating violence. The humanitarian toll is expected to rise as hostilities continue, with civilians caught in the crossfire and infrastructure destroyed.
As the conflict escalates, the international community remains concerned about the potential for a wider regional spill‑over. The United Nations has urged both sides to respect the cease‑fire and to engage in dialogue to prevent further civilian suffering.
Looking ahead, the situation remains fluid. The government’s recent gains in Taiz may be short‑lived if the Houthis regroup and launch counter‑attacks. Meanwhile, the Houthis’ claims of striking Saudi targets could provoke a more forceful Saudi response, potentially drawing the conflict into a broader regional confrontation. The international community watches closely as the fragile cease‑fire hangs in the balance.
What Happens Next?
Yemen’s government forces are expected to consolidate their gains in Taiz and push further into Houthi‑held territory. The Houthis may intensify their missile and drone campaigns against Saudi infrastructure, while Saudi Arabia could increase its air strike campaign across Yemen. The UN and other international actors may intensify diplomatic efforts to restore a durable cease‑fire and address the humanitarian crisis.
Why It Matters
The latest clashes threaten to unravel a fragile peace and could destabilize the already volatile Red Sea region, impacting global trade and security. The humanitarian fallout is severe, with thousands displaced and civilian infrastructure destroyed.
Key Takeaways
- Yemen’s government forces advanced in western Taiz after repelling a Houthi offensive.
- The Houthis claim to have struck Saudi military sites with missiles and drones.
- Saudi Arabia has responded with air strikes and issued civil defence alerts.
- The conflict threatens the UN‑brokered cease‑fire and could destabilize the Red Sea trade corridor.
- Nearly 86,000 Yemenis have been displaced, with over 2,000 fleeing to Djibouti.
- International diplomatic efforts are underway to prevent further escalation.
FAQ
- What is the current status of the cease‑fire? The UN‑brokered cease‑fire remains in place, but recent clashes have put it at risk.
- How many civilians have been displaced? About 86,000 Yemenis have been displaced in recent weeks, with more than 2,000 seeking refuge in Djibouti.
- Which Saudi cities are at risk? Saudi authorities issued alerts for Abha and the Khamis Mushait region.
- What strategic locations have the Houthis captured? The Houthis have taken parts of the Red Sea coast and the islands of Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish.
- What is the international community doing? The UN and other actors are urging dialogue and a return to the cease‑fire to prevent further civilian harm.
Why it matters
The escalation threatens to unravel a fragile peace in Yemen, endangering millions of civilians and jeopardizing the security of the Red Sea trade corridor that carries a significant portion of global oil and LNG shipments.
Key points
- Yemen government forces push into western Taiz after repelling Houthi attack
- Houthis claim missile and drone strikes on Saudi military sites
- Saudi Arabia responds with air strikes and civil defence alerts
- Conflict threatens UN cease‑fire and Red Sea trade routes
- Nearly 86,000 Yemenis displaced, over 2,000 fled to Djibouti
- International diplomatic efforts underway to prevent escalation
Frequently asked questions
What is the current status of the cease‑fire?
The UN‑brokered cease‑fire remains in place, but recent clashes have put it at risk.
How many civilians have been displaced?
About 86,000 Yemenis have been displaced in recent weeks, with more than 2,000 seeking refuge in Djibouti.
Which Saudi cities are at risk?
Saudi authorities issued alerts for Abha and the Khamis Mushait region.
What strategic locations have the Houthis captured?
The Houthis have taken parts of the Red Sea coast and the islands of Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish.
What is the international community doing?
The UN and other actors are urging dialogue and a return to the cease‑fire to prevent further civilian harm.
