Fighting increases in Yemen as Houthis look to al-Mandab Strait as potential pressure point

Fighting is intensifying across Yemen, with government forces reporting gains against the Houthis while the Iran-backed group retains the ability to threaten the Bab al-Mandeb Strait at the entrance to the Red Sea.

Regional reports, including accounts carried by SANA and Al-Arabiya, said Yemeni government forces had taken full control of Hays district in Hodeidah province. Hays city was already under government control, and the reported advance involved the remaining rural areas. Government forces also reportedly began operations in neighboring Al-Jarrahi district and moved toward Houthi positions.

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Government forces secured the remaining rural areas of Hays on Saturday evening. Hays city was already under government control.

The fighting has spread across Taiz and Al-Jawf as well. Government forces said they captured several positions on the Hayfan front in Taiz province, while clashes continued in multiple areas. Al-Jawf lies near Saudi Arabia in northern Yemen, while Taiz is in the mountains closer to Mocha and the Red Sea.

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Government forces had begun operations in neighboring Al-Jarrahi district and advanced toward Houthi positions.

The Houthis fired three ballistic missiles at Taiz city, according to the reports. One missile attack a day earlier struck a civilian gathering in Taiz province, killing four people and injuring nine, SANA reported. The reports also said Houthi forces suffered casualties, although no figure was given.

In Al-Jawf, government spokesman Col. Majed al-Nuzaili said government forces targeted Houthi fighters. Government forces also reported shooting down several Houthi drones on other fronts, including one east of Al-Hazm. The wider escalation remained unclear, with both sides continuing to increase their attacks. The Houthis could use pressure around Bab al-Mandeb to ease pressure on Iran, while reduced Iranian funding could leave them vulnerable to setbacks.

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Government forces said they captured several positions on the Hayfan front during clashes with Houthi forces.