Yemen’s government forces said on 15 November they were withdrawing from an area near the Bab al-Mandab Strait to focus on defending the city of Aden. This effectively marks the end of a six-week counteroffensive against the Houthis, who earlier seized coastline near the entrance to the Red Sea, Reuters reports.
The regrouping was announced by the Southern Armed Forces, the main military formation fighting alongside Yemen’s government in the south of the country.
“This step is being taken in view of the priority of ensuring the security of the capital, Aden, and neighbouring provinces, as well as strengthening the front lines and responding to existing threats,” the military said in a statement.
Forces are being pulled back from the area around Dubab airport and territory near the Bab al-Mandab Strait west of Taiz province. According to Yemeni military sources cited by Reuters, they are regrouping in the area of As-Suqya, south of Dubab and about 150 km from Aden. At the same time, government forces continue trying to push the Houthis out of nearby coastal areas.
Yemen’s civil war, which lasted for more than ten years and had been paused since 2022, flared up again this summer amid the US war with Iran.
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In September, the Houthis quickly seized the Red Sea coastline and areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which controls the passage from the Red Sea into the Gulf of Aden. This affected oil exports. The group also laid siege to government forces in the city of Taiz, the country’s third-largest.
Last month, government forces backed by Saudi Arabia recaptured a number of key positions near the strait, including Dubab. However, they failed to fully drive the Houthis out of the area or regain control of the town of Al Mokha further north along the coast.
Meanwhile, the Houthis stepped up drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia. According to Reuters, strikes on the country’s main airports led to flight suspensions, while attacks on energy facilities affected global energy markets.
North of Aden, the Houthis have also advanced in mountainous areas. In early October, they cut Taiz off from other territories, increasing pressure on the diverse coalition of forces backing the internationally recognised government.
Fighting in western Taiz province is continuing, and the humanitarian situation is deteriorating. According to Reuters military sources, the city remains under siege: humanitarian aid cannot get in, and civilians cannot leave. Taiz is home to about half of the 300,000 people who were forced to leave their homes due to the latest escalation in fighting.
Meanwhile, on Sunday the International Committee of the Red Cross reported that the Houthis had released 600 prisoners.
- Yesterday, Yemen’s Houthis said they launched two ballistic missiles at concentrations of Saudi forces in the Al Tuwal area of Jazan province. Separately, the group reported attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and a pumping station on the East–West oil pipeline.