Brief
Yemeni government forces launch offensive to retake al‑Waziiya district
The operation is part of the “Dawn of Yemen” campaign announced by the Presidential Leadership Council.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Yemeni forces aligned with the internationally recognised government launched a large‑scale offensive on Tuesday to retake the mountainous al‑Waziiya district in Taiz governorate, Al Jazeera reported.
The district, west of Taiz and east of the Red Sea port of Mocha, is seen as key to controlling Mocha, which the Houthis seized in a lightning offensive last month. The attack forms part of the “Dawn of Yemen” offensive announced on Sunday by Rashad al‑Alimi, chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, which aims to recapture all remaining Houthi‑held territory, including the capital Sanaa.
According to a post on X by the Yemeni army’s media centre, the pro‑government Homeland Shield Forces have begun the operation and claim to have secured strategic hills overlooking the al‑Mansoura area, describing a mass retreat by Houthi militia. The statement cited a military source for the claim.
The Houthis denied the government’s account, saying they successfully repelled the advance in al‑Waziiya. At the same time, the Saudi‑led coalition reported intercepting a Houthi ballistic missile aimed at the Saudi city of Khamis Mushait.
Al Jazeera’s correspondent Yousef Mawry noted that control of the mountains is essential for any Yemeni government attempt to retake Mocha, linking the current push to broader Red Sea strategic concerns.
Key facts
- Yemeni government forces launched an offensive on Tuesday to retake al‑Waziiya district in Taiz. (aljazeera.com)
- The operation is part of the “Dawn of Yemen” campaign announced by Rashad al‑Alimi on Sunday. (aljazeera.com)
- Homeland Shield Forces said they secured strategic hills overlooking al‑Mansoura, citing a military source. (aljazeera.com)
- Houthis denied the claim, saying they repelled the advance. (aljazeera.com)
- Saudi Arabia intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile targeting Khamis Mushait. (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Yemeni forces launch offensive to retake Houthi-held al-Waziiya in Taiz”
