Aden, Yemen
Fighting has intensified in Yemen over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s most important maritime routes. Saudi-backed Yemeni forces have launched an operation against the Houthi rebels. During the operation, Saudi fighter jets reportedly carried out airstrikes on Houthi-controlled islands and coastal areas near the strait.
Yemeni forces are advancing toward mountainous areas along the coast. On Sunday, the Yemeni government announced a major military operation to retake positions that had fallen under Houthi control.
On Monday, Yemeni Information Minister Muammar al-Iryani claimed that government forces had made significant gains against the Houthis around the Bab el-Mandeb area. He said fighting was still continuing in the region. The areas where government forces claimed to have made advances had been captured by the Houthis around a month earlier.
Houthi Influence Over the Maritime Route
After capturing these areas, the Houthis increased their influence over shipping traffic passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea. The Houthis have prevented Saudi ships from passing through the route, while the important maritime corridor remains open to vessels from other countries.
The latest clashes are taking place in the mountainous and coastal areas of southwestern Yemen. The Taiz-Aden road also passes through this region and is considered an important route for Yemen.
Last week, the Houthis reportedly damaged a small bridge on this road in an explosion, disrupting traffic along the route.
Fighting Also Intensifies Around Taiz
Taiz is Yemen’s third-largest city, with a population of more than 500,000. The city remains under government control, but fighting between Houthi and government forces has intensified in surrounding areas. The Houthis have periodically carried out shelling and attacks in an effort to gain control of the city.
The Houthis have controlled Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, since 2014. Against this backdrop, the new military operation around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait represents a significant development in Yemen’s long-running conflict.
