Why are the Houthis fighting for Yemen’s Kahboub Mountains? | Houthis News
Houthis Advance into Kahboub Mountains Amid Renewed Conflict in Yemen
The Houthi movement is making significant strides toward the Kahboub Mountains following a rapid seizure of much of Yemen’s Red Sea coast earlier this month. Analysts suggest that a successful advance could dramatically alter the balance of power in the ongoing Yemeni conflict.
Recent clashes between Houthi forces and troops aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized, Saudi-backed government have marked the end of a relative calm that persisted since 2022. The renewed hostilities have shifted the battleground to the rugged highlands overlooking Bab al-Mandeb, a critical maritime passage.
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait connects the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, with its strategic significance growing as disruptions persist in the nearby Strait of Hormuz, largely due to Iranian involvement with the Houthis.
Experts indicate that controlling the high ground of Kahboub would enhance the Houthis’ ability to defend their newly acquired coastline, complicating any attempts by government forces to reclaim lost territory. While the mountains may not serve as a direct launching point for attacks on maritime vessels, they offer a form of defensive coverage for Houthi positions near the coast, facilitating missile and drone operations.
Officially, the Houthis have stated they do not intend to target U.S. shipping, focusing their operations on vessels linked to Saudi Arabia. However, the group has history with attacking vessels in the Red Sea, including those with no direct ties to its stated targets.
The urgency of the Houthi offensive has increased following a report from The New York Times indicating that U.S. President Donald Trump nearly authorized airstrikes against the Houthis before ultimately deciding against action. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has pledged to support Saudi Arabia with defensive refueling operations.
Strategic Importance of Kahboub
Kahboub, straddling parts of the Lahj and Taiz governorates, is strategically vital due to its proximity to Bab al-Mandeb, with some elevations located approximately 25 miles from the waterway. This location offers commanding views of a crucial shipping corridor, through which a substantial share of global trade and oil flows daily.
Experts emphasize that while the mountains hold significant military advantages, their primary role for the Houthis lies in fortifying their territorial gains rather than serving as a direct platform for maritime assaults. By securing Kahboub, the Houthis could reinforce their hold on the coastline and increase pressure on southern regions, particularly the Lahj governorate and the city of Aden.
Faozi Al-Goidi, a fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, noted that the mountains provide a natural barrier against government forces, isolating coastal areas from government-held territories and enhancing the Houthis’ defensive capabilities.
Ewa K. Strzelecka, a senior fellow at the London School of Economics, argued that controlling Kahboub, along with Mayyun Island and adjacent highlands, would confer strategic advantages and resilience for the Houthis around one of the world’s major maritime chokepoints.
Current Conflict Dynamics
Recent footage shared by the Taiz Military Axis Command showed intense fighting in mountainous regions, although it has not been independently verified. Analysts warn that the terrain poses significant challenges for both sides, with control of even a single high point requiring considerable resources and effort.
While the battle for Kahboub unfolds, its capture could pressure the city of Taiz, a region critical to both the Houthis and the Saudi-supported government. The Taiz governorate serves as a vital link between the opposing territories. Should the Houthis gain control of Kahboub, they could disrupt supply movements to Taiz and potentially alter the dynamics of conflict in southern Yemen.
Mu rad Al-Arefi, an editor at the Sana’a Center, highlighted that while taking Kahboub would intensify pressure on Taiz, it is too early to discern whether this strategy represents an effort to encircle the city.
Impact on Maritime Security
The prospect of increased Houthi control in the region raises concerns about shipping security in the Red Sea. Although the Houthis assert that their operational limitations in Bab al-Mandeb target only Saudi-linked vessels, past actions suggest their operations could span beyond defined boundaries.
Simon Mabon, a professor of international relations at Lancaster University, remarked that the ongoing offensive exemplifies Houthi efforts to expand territorial control and weaken their adversaries while consolidating strategic influence over Bab al-Mandeb.
As the situation develops, the implications for both ground conflict and maritime security are keenly observed, with the Houthis seeking to exploit their military momentum to further assert dominance in Yemen.
