Yemeni government forces have conducted multiple air and ground operations in southwestern Taiz province in the last 24 hours, intensifying attacks against the Iran-backed Houthi group. The government’s Military Media Centre reported operations against the rebels, including airstrikes on Houthi positions in five locations across the province. Since fighting erupted in July, approximately 130,000 people have been displaced following a period of relative calm after a UN-brokered ceasefire in 2022.
In recent weeks, the Houthis have gained territory, seizing the strategic Red Sea coastal city of Mocha and expanding control over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime route connecting Europe to Asia. Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, has urged citizens to mobilize against the Houthis to stop their advance and regain lost territory.
Saudi Arabia, which has faced Houthi attacks on its territory since the escalation of fighting, has sought support from allies, including Pakistan and Turkiye. The Military Media Centre reported that dozens of Houthi fighters, including field commanders, have been killed or wounded in the recent fighting near Taiz.
Government forces have carried out operations in various areas of Taiz, including the Al-Wazi’iyah district and against military vehicles in the Gurab area. They also thwarted infiltration attempts in the Al-Ahtoub front and conducted artillery shelling of Houthi gatherings.
Al Jazeera reported that government forces claim to have made advances in southern Taiz, taking control of several areas, including Jabal Bazel, which puts Houthi supply lines within target range. Al-Alimi expressed confidence that Yemeni forces could restore control over the entire country, while the Houthis currently control significant portions of northern and western Yemen.
The Houthis have accused Saudi Arabia of conducting strikes in Yemen and vowed to block Saudi tankers from passing through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Brigadier General Majed al-Nazili, spokesperson for the Yemeni government forces, warned that Houthi weapons, allegedly using Iranian air defense technology, pose a threat to international flight paths.
On Saturday, the Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting two ballistic missiles and two drones launched by the Houthis towards Riyadh and Khamis Mushait. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud called on the international community to condemn Houthi actions, while Yemen’s Vice President Abdullah Abdulkader al-Alimi-Bawzer warned that the Houthis were using shipping security as a tool for blackmail.
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassim Mohammed al-Budaiwi, condemned the Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, describing them as a violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty. Iran has denied involvement in the Yemen conflict, with President Masoud Pezeshkian urging dialogue between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman stated that joint efforts with Pakistan would continue to confront attacks against the kingdom. France confirmed it was sending troops to guard the oil terminal at Yanbu but clarified it would not join the conflict. The US has not pledged military involvement but continues to work with Saudi partners.
As of now, UNICEF reports that at least 130,000 people have been displaced, with over 3,000 fleeing to Djibouti. The number of casualties remains unverified, but media reports suggest the death toll could be in the hundreds. UNICEF has confirmed that at least 15 children have been killed and 14 injured since early September, with more than 22 million people in Yemen requiring humanitarian assistance.